5 Ways to Spot a Great Driving Instructor
As the parent of a 15-year-old teenager, and two siblings not far behind, driving and driving lessons are a frequent topic of conversation in our home. Driving laws vary from state to state, and in NH when a teen is 15 1/2 they can begin driving lessons with a parent in the car, you just need to carry their birth certificate with you to provide proof of age. When I was young and starting to drive, we lived in TN, and were able to take a written test on or after our 15th birthday to obtain a permit, then begin driving lessons, so this is a different experience for us to navigate! In NH, drivers under 18 also need to complete a drivers education program before they’re eligible for a license, and choosing the right program and instructor is important.
With so many different driving instructors out there all promising to help you pass your driving test first time, how can you be sure you’ve got a good one? The answer is – it’s difficult! So, we’ve put together a handy guide of qualities to look for in a potential driving tutor. I hope these 5 Ways to Spot a Great Driving Instructor help you find someone that’s a good fit for the learning driver in your life!
- Recommendation or Referral
We have many drivers education programs available in our area. We’ve been asking around to families whose children have similar dispositions to our teen, so we can get an honest opinion on how the various programs and instructors worked for their children. Our children are all very different and have different needs. What works fantastic for one of them may be a horrible experience for another, so it’s important to not only ask how pleased someone is with a particular program but to also ask for specifics about what they liked and didn’t like. A good friend is here on Visa from the UK and is licensed in both countries to drive. When she obtained her license in the UL she was able to take a free driving theory test practice from toptests.co.uk to practice for her written theory test before she was allowed to take the practical driving exam, so she expected that she’d be able to visit a US website to practice for the written test before she took it too, but to my knowledge there isn’t one available for us here in NH.
- Honesty
While you want to hire a driving instructor who is kind and friendly, you also need to look for somebody who can be brutally honest with your teen. The last thing you need is somebody who is only going to point out what a driver is doing correctly and only praises them. We want an instructor who is able to provide constructive criticism in a way that makes our teens understand what they are doing incorrectly and how to fix it so they are driving as safely as possible. Praise is nice, and a confidence builder, so there is definitely a place for that too, but driving is a big responsibility, so I want to make sure they know the laws and are following them!
- Patience
Teaching learners how to drive can be stressful as you never know which situations you are going to face; some may even be life-threatening. A good driving instructor knows how to stay calm under pressure and will be patient with you, even if you scare them! This is a must have for any
- Encouragement
A good driving tutor will always encourage you to do more and push yourself; they’ll offer praise where it’s due and knows exactly what to say to make you feel super-confident in your driving abilities. Look for an instructor who doesn’t simply teach you how to drive, but offers helpful hints, tells you when you impress them and gives expert advice on all aspects of the process.
- Humor
Lastly, look for a driving instructor who puts you at ease and can make you laugh. There’s nothing worse than feeling tense at the wheel of a car sat next to a stranger. So, if you’re able to loosen up a little and share a joke, that’s always a good sign.
All of these qualities are important in a good driving instructor, and I hope we’re all able to find a good match for our children when the time arrives. Good luck with your driving lessons, and may we all survive the stress of our teenagers learning to drive!
