How to supervise a learner driver
Before
Lessons
Tests
Passed
Confidance comes with time behind the wheel
Private practice—usually with a parent in the passenger seat—gives learners the chance to build confidence and get comfortable behind the wheel. It’s a big help, but it’s not always easy. Emotions can run high, so staying calm and having a plan really matters—especially if the practice follows what the driving instructor’s been teaching. According to the DVSA, learners who get that extra bit of supervised practice are more likely to pass the first time.
When to start supervising practice sessions
Either you or the learner should tell their driving instructor that you intend to do private practice when they reach a suitable level.
The driving instructor can then:
- tell you when the learner is ready to drive under your supervision
- help you plan practice sessions at the right level
- invite you to sit in on one of the learner’s lessons (if they agree) before you start supervising – this can help you see how the driving instructor handles situations that you might find difficult
Plan your practice sessions
Before you plan any sessions, ask the learner about their driving skills and what they’d like to focus on. You can ask things like:
- what they’ve been practising with their driving instructor
- what types of roads they feel ready to drive on – for example, dual carriageways or busy junctions
- if there’s anything they want to practise – for example, reversing manoeuvres, roundabouts or following a sat nav
This will help avoid putting them into a situation that they cannot cope with.
Based on what they’ve said and their driving experience and ability, think about these things when you’re planning:
Where you’ll ask the learner to drive
You need to think about:
- what types of roads your route will include – for example, country roads or dual carriageways
- what your route will include – for example, roundabouts, traffic lights, junctions, steep hills
- if you’ll use a sat nav or not
You must not go on motorways – learner drivers can only drive on motorways with an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a car fitted with dual controls.
Time of day
You need to think about:
- how busy the roads will be – try to avoid busy times of day until the learner is confident in heavier traffic
- how light or dark it is – they should practise driving during the day and at night
Manoeuvres they’ll practise
You need to think about:
- which manoeuvres the learner needs to work on
- which car park to use – try to use a quiet area of the car park where there are several bays to choose from
- which roads you can use – try not to disturb other road users or local residents
Weather conditions
You need to think about:
- what the weather is like – they should practise in a range of weather conditions, for example, rain or windy conditions
- if it’s safe to drive
Do not drive in severe weather conditions unless your journey is essential.
Skills you’ll need to help the learner with
You need to be able help the learner to:
- understand their legal responsibilities as a driver
- carry out safety checks before they drive
- understand how to find and use the controls in the car (for example, the windscreen wipers and indicators)
- move away and stop safely
- judge the car’s position on the road
- check their mirrors and blind spots correctly
- signal correctly before turning
- recognise hazards
- drive at an appropriate speed
- navigate junctions, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings
- reverse and turn the car around safely
- understand how to drive safely on different types of road, including dual carriageways and country roads
- drive in different weather conditions
- drive independently by following a sat nav and road signs
- park in car parks and at the side of the road
- drive in the dark
- drive in a fuel-efficient way
- understand how to keep their vehicle and its contents secure
Check how you’re both feeling
Consider rearranging the practice session if either you or the learner are feeling angry, sad, stressed or tired.
Driving or supervising a learner when you’re angry, sad or stressed can be as dangerous as driving when you’re tired. Emotions can be even more distracting than using a mobile phone while driving.
During your practice sessions
Rules you must follow
As a full licence holder, you’re in charge of the car, even when the learner is driving.
Sit in the front passenger seat of the car while you’re supervising the learner.
You must not:
- hold and use a mobile phone, sat nav or tablet – it’s illegal to use one in your hand for any reason, including texting, making calls, taking photos and looking at websites
- have a breath alcohol or blood alcohol level higher than the legal limit – do not drink and supervise a learner, as it will seriously affect your judgement and abilities
- supervise a learner when you’re under the influence of drugs or medicine, or if you have illegal drugs or certain medicines in your blood above specified limits – check the rules about drugs and driving
- go on motorways – learner drivers can only drive on motorways with an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a car fitted with dual controls
Driving with other passengers
Other passengers can sit in the car while you’re supervising the learner driver, but they should not distract them while they’re driving.
As the driver, the learner is responsible for making sure any passengers under 14 years old use a seat belt or child restraint.
Look and think ahead
You need to look and think further ahead than normal to identify hazards when you’re supervising a learner. Do not expect the learner to have the same level of awareness and judgement as you.
Give directions
Give your directions:
- clearly
- calmly
- in plenty of time
You’re responsible for making sure the learner does not create dangerous situations through inexperience or poor judgment.
If the learner makes a mistake
Do not get angry if something goes wrong.
Stay calm and ask the learner to pull over safely. Give yourselves time to calm down before discussing what went wrong and why.
Check the list of common mistakes learners make during driving tests to understand the types of mistakes they might make during practice sessions.
What to do in a dangerous situation
If a dangerous situation develops:
- speak firmly and clearly without shouting
- reach across and take control of the steering wheel
- use dual controls if your car has them fitted
As a last resort, use the handbrake (parking brake) to carry out an emergency stop. Tell the learner to “stop” and use care.
After each practice session
Talk to the learner about what went well and what they’d like to work on next time.
Do not be critical if you think their driving is not improving quickly.
On average, it takes people 45 hours of driving lessons with a driving instructor and 22 hours of practice with family or friends to learn to drive.
Record the private driving practice you’ve done to keep track of their progress. Ask the learner to show the record to their driving instructor at their next lesson.
Continue to talk to the driving instructor for advice about what to include in your subsequent practice sessions.
Source: DVSA Gov.UK Guidance Supervise a Learner Driver Under the Open Government Licence