The Psychology of Learning to Drive: Insights for Instructors

So, you think a driving instructor’s job is to merely teach driving skills and ensure their students clear the driving test and get a driving license? A driving instructor’s role goes way beyond handling a vehicle. A good instructor might also teach road etiquette and compliance, in addition to driving instruction. But what differentiates the best instructor from a good one is how they understand the student’s psyche, gauge their needs, and provide driving instruction in a way that suits their students the best! That’s why we need more competent and professionally trained instructors to teach driving skills and road rules to new learners while also helping them tackle anxiety, fear, low confidence, and other psychological issues. Driving instructor courses like TLI41225 can teach aspiring instructors the right methods to help their students become confident, skilled, safe, and responsible drivers. But how do these instructors understand the psychological challenges of new drivers, and how can they overcome them with their teaching? Let’s find out.

Dealing with Fear: the Biggest Roadblock

Did you know? Around two-thirds of all Australian drivers experience some level of anxiety over driving.

So, imagine what a first-time learner would be feeling! Fear, anxiety, nervousness — these are normal reactions for anybody trying to operate a vehicle for the first time. While a little nervousness is alright, it can sometimes affect the student’s ability to grasp and follow instructions and thus delay progress. As a driving instructor, you should be able to empathise with their condition, be patient when they make mistakes or ask questions, and give them a safe and comfortable environment to grow. At the Academy of Road Safety, we understand the importance of empathy in a teacher. That’s why our driving instructor courses are designed to teach instructors how to be empathetic and patient teachers who can help students overcome their anxiety.

From Self-Doubt to Self-Assurance: Building Confidence

Did you know? According to recent research, young drivers aged 16 to 24 years are 60% more likely to be involved in a serious crash than licensed mature adult drivers.

When it comes to driving, new learners can often be classified into the following two categories: under-confident learners who doubt themselves and are hesitant in their approach, and overconfident learners who ignore the safety measures and take unnecessary risks in their overconfidence. Instructors should learn to identify the confidence level of their students and accordingly help them cultivate a balanced, safe approach towards driving. Our instructor courses, like TLI41225, teach aspiring instructors the right coaching techniques to help them identify and guide learner drivers into becoming self-assured and safe drivers.

Beyond the Physical: Training the Brain to Drive

Did you know? For efficient driving, drivers should have good visual and auditory perception and employ a multitude of cognitive abilities, including inhibitory control, working memory, reasoning, planning, and problem-solving.

Driving is not just about coordinating the hands, eyes, and legs to control a vehicle. It’s a mental activity that involves cognitive processes like perceiving hazards, taking a call, decision-making, multitasking, rational thinking, etc. And these qualities can be developed in the new learners through proper guidance from expert and qualified driving instructors. Our driver training programs, both accredited and non-accredited, focus on teaching instructors the most effective methods to develop such crucial mental abilities in their students.

Adapting Your Style for Diverse Learners

Did you know? The demand for driving instructors is estimated to rise by almost 7% in the next 5 years.

Adjusting your teaching style is a basic necessity for all driving instructors. Each learner is different from the others, and their style and pace of learning are also different. Plus, there might be some specific cases, like women wanting to learn from women instructors. Now, women instructors in Australia are low in number compared to male instructors. So, if such students have to learn from a different instructor than the one they wanted, they might be apprehensive and hesitant. As instructors, if you take a generic or universal approach, it may work for some but not for others. Instructors must know how to tailor their teaching style to the needs of each student. This helps make them feel comfortable, leading to higher pass rates and better recommendations.

The Power of Empathy: Handling Learner Anxiety

Did you know? According to a recent research by Allianz Australia, 76% of learners who experience a stress-free learning environment likely pass their driving test on the first attempt.

Empathy is a driving instructor’s biggest quality that helps them deal with their students in the right way. For a new learner, driving can be very frustrating, and if they don’t get proper guidance and a comfortable environment, they won’t be able to clear their doubts and make swift progress. We understand the importance of an empathetic approach in teaching. That’s why, in our driving instructor course, we focus on teaching instructors how to provide driving instruction in a way that encourages and motivates the learners and accelerates their progress.

Invest in Your Future as an Instructor

A good driving instructor should know how to understand the students’ requirements and impart driving education in a way that benefits the students. Understanding students’ mental state, their requirements, and their psychology towards driving is also important for teachers to gauge how to teach them. That’s why we need professionally trained instructors who have the best knowledge, training, and resources to impart proper driving instruction. And if you’re an aspiring driving instructor, learning these strategies right from the beginning can help you grow in your career. Joining a driving instructor course from a reputed school like the Academy of Road Safety is a good investment that can give you a competitive edge in your career as an instructor. It can help you stay updated, teach better, and create safer, responsible drivers. Enrol in our courses and start your journey towards a rewarding driving instructor profession today!

Source Link[academyofroadsafety.edu.au]