Help with supervising a learner driver
As a supervising driver, you’ll be helping your learner have more practice and gain wider experience of the varied driving conditions they’re likely to meet once they’ve passed their driving test.
You’re helping a new driver to gain skills that will help to keep them safe for many years to come.
It might not be as easy to do as you think. But there are different places you can get help.
Get advice from the driving instructor
Be guided by the learner’s driving instructor.
Ask the driving instructor to tell you when your learner is ready to start practising between lessons.
Starting too soon may be unnerving for both you and the learner. That could lead to anything from a loss of confidence through to a serious loss of control.
The driving instructor can:
- 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
Record the private driving practice you do to keep track of the learner’s 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 next practice sessions.
Guidance about supervising a learner driver
We have published detailed guidance to help you supervise a learner driver between driving lessons. It includes:
- who you can supervise
- how to check the car you want to use is suitable
- getting car insurance
- when to start private practice
- planning your practice sessions
- what to do during your practice sessions
- what to do after each practice session
Read the guidance about supervising a learner driver.
The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive book
This book has almost 200 pages packed with detailed information on the driving test and how best to prepare. It will help both the learner driver and you.
It includes more than 60 pages of advice and tips for supervising drivers to help you plan practice sessions.
The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive will help you support your learner with the key skills they need to know, including:
- moving away and stopping safely
- checking their mirrors and blind spots correctly
- navigating junctions, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings
- reversing and turning the car around safely
- driving safely on different types of road, including dual carriageways and country roads
- driving in different weather conditions
- driving independently by following a sat nav and road signs
- parking in car parks and at the side of the road
- driving in the dark
- driving in a fuel-efficient way
Enter code TP20 at the checkout to get the book for £7.99 plus shipping – it’s less than a quarter of the average cost of a one-hour driving lesson.
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