Learning to drive and making your own decisions.

Your driving test will be a key event for you. Passing opens up a whole host of freedoms and flexibilities. It's not the end of your learning but it is possibly the end of the formal part. Instructors and examiners are well aware of this and will do all they can to minimise any nerves. What I'd not expect you to think about is that this is also a point of high tension for us. Not only are we eager to see you pass but it is also a validation of the hours we have spent together. That is never more so than our first few tests.

So I took an early pupil to test, sadly he heard the words "I'm sorry, you have been unsuccessful today". The examiner gave the pupil a debrief, as they always do and then asked to speak to me. What have I done? was my first reaction! He then proceeded to give me the best advice I'd ever had to that point. Paraphrasing, he said, he can drive, he knows what he is doing and is safe most of the time. But he can't make decisions. He said it wasn't his place to question how I teach but asked if I was, perhaps, helping a little too much and not encouraging him to take any responsibility.

Of course he was correct and that short interaction has benefited every pupil I have had since.

The DVSA's model takes a pupil from fully instructed to prompted to independent. Those with advisers using software packages will see that in their app. Pat and I both use TotalDrive, other colleagues use My Drive Time and there are various other options. But they will all log progress and most using the terminology above.

So what does it mean?

Simplistically, the first time you approach a roundabout, I'll ask you to take the first exit to turn left, pointing out you'll want the left lane. The second time, I'll ask you to take the first exit to turn left and ask you what lane you think is appropriate to make sure you are thinking about it in good time and the third time I'll give the same direction and sit back and read my book, knowing that you will get it right.

As I say, this is simplistic. It is likely to involve various stages between and is unlikely to be just 3 attempts. And I certainly won't be reading my book!

But there is a key point here. To move forward you need to be prepared to take that decision, to trust yourself to take that decision. Some will find it so easy to take that step, in fact we may have to reign you in. But many find it really difficult to trust themselves and always want that prompt and will always take it if we offer it. So to give you the opportunity to trust yourself, we have to show that we trust you first by keeping our mouths shut!

Training in various industries before this one, I would say I'd always have looked to see you trust yourself before I can push you forward. In this, I think that first level of trust is where I need to show you I trust you to take decisions, to make choices and in that way, you will move forward and build a trust and confidence in yourself.

Passing your test is, of course, about skills. But it's also about confidence and trust in yourself.

Paul Hanlon.