4 of 11

Write now Article Tools

Whilst it is easy to comment from a single perspective there are many other mitigating circumstances that have to be considered and weighed into the opinion. Also as a universal site, comments are not always applicable to other countries.

Firstly though one thing you have to realise as a parent is that prior to your child getting their provisional license or having a driving lesson you have already contributed to their driving skills and attitude.

You have had seventeen years if you are a driver, educating them to road rules, which to obey, what lights you can take a chance on, where you can speed safely, how to use a roundabout as a speedway contest, how to get away from the lights the fastest, how to look cool with your seat reclined and elbow out of the window. On top of this you have taught them how to change a disc or cassette whilst driving, how to reach across and into the lower dashboard to retrieve something, that it is ok to laps concentration when waiting at the lights and the biggest one, how to abuse fellow drivers, this placing (by your standards and actions), their lives at risk as their co-ordination is not proficient enough to take these dangerous chances.

These and many others are points I had to try and eliminate in my pupils many years ago when I had a driving school in England. For reference, my return rate was good and had some excellent students at the end of the day through applying a military style instruction having just come out of the services being the way I was instructed. However I would in no uncertain terms try to teach these days.

Yes, driving is about education, however most learners have had the wrong education for many more years than the days it takes to complete a proficiency test giving them a full license.

Another problem lies in matching student to instructor. Many instructors take pupils on with total disregard to this compatibility; which is essential for the student to come through proficient in all aspects, as emotion is a contributing factor to driving co-ordination and tuition skills.

In some countries I would advise that the parents teach, despite the above comments. In others it is better for an instructor say as in the United Kingdom, which has in my opinion the highest required standard of driver education (though I know a few instructors who should never have a license), and the final test is done with a complete stranger irrespective of tutor.

Despite the comments we must also realise and the one thing I used to emphasise to my pupils once they had passed, that they are only just learning to drive, as from here on in you are on your own with no one other than yourself able to rectify mistakes, and you have just been granted a license to kill if you do not keep to all that you have been taught.

Here endeth the first lesson.

Learn more about this author, Paul Bovis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Deciding whether to teach your child to drive or hire an instructor?
We want to hear your view. Write now!