Did you get the job of teaching a friend or relative to drive? Smooth driving actually really depends on practice, but this process will be much smoother if done with a good teacher. Before you agree to teach someone, make sure you know the traffic rules, you're comfortable driving with people who don't have a driver's license and you're willing to take responsibility if things go wrong. You should also have “big” patience because your students are bound to make mistakes!
Step
Step 1. Start at home
Before getting in the car, review the traffic rules, the basics of operating and maintaining the car, and the requirements for obtaining a driver's license (SIM).
- Review the driver's handbook and car user guide.
- If the student is your child, this is a good time to make an agreement about the division of responsibilities. Who will pay for the fuel and insurance costs? Will your child use your car or his own car? Does your child have to be home at certain times or get certain grades at school? It's a good idea to agree on these kinds of terms up front.
Step 2. Set a good example
Have your students pay attention to what you are doing. You can do this process long before your student gets a driver's license.
- Drive while telling stories. Maybe driving is automatic for you, but try to describe the process of driving when your student was your passenger. Say things like, “That blue car is too fast. Maybe he'll cut us off, then I'll take more distance," and "I'll turn left ahead, I'll signal, start moving left, and slow down now."
- Set an example of good driving technique and obey traffic rules more than usual. Keep your distance, signal, don't speed, and avoid cursing at other drivers.
- Ask your students to assess what will happen on the road and how to deal with it.
- Discuss the hazards on the road and what can be done to overcome them.
Step 3. Unlike in Indonesia, every student driving in the United States must first obtain a learner's permit
Without this permission, they cannot practice driving a car. So make sure your student has this permit if you teach driving in the US.
Learn the rules for using a learner's permit. Usually, adults or teachers must continue to accompany students in the car
Step 4. Find an off-street spot that is relatively free of obstructions when your student first tries driving
An empty parking lot can be one of your choices.
For early sessions, give driving practice during the day and the air is calm. Let your students learn the basics of how to control and maneuver a car before driving in difficult and dangerous conditions
Step 5. Give a review of the controls available in the car
- Turn the car on and off several times. Put on your seat belt, adjust the mirrors and seat, release the brakes, start the car, put in gear, etc. Then repeat the process from the back.
- Provide an explanation of how to adjust the speed of the windshield wiper, headlights, turn signals, and other tools.
Step 6. Practice controlling the car
- Increase and decrease the speed so the car feels smooth and even.
- Give practice changing gears if you use a manual car.
- Teach certain driving patterns, especially those that are needed in real situations. Turn right and left. Try parallel parking next to a sidewalk or boundary line. Try parking in the parking box.
- Feel or get used to guess where the position of the sides and the back of the car.
- Practice reversing the car. Start out in the open, then try to reverse the car towards a specific target. Try to use targets that won't damage the car if hit, such as hedges or boundary lines.
- Practice a few times in the parking lot as needed to build confidence and consistency in controlling and positioning the car.
Step 7. Choose a less crowded road for the first try on the road
- Practice driving on the right side and positioning the car in the middle.
- Suggest to keep your distance when stopping at the APILL (Traffic Signaling Device) light. A good general rule of thumb is that you should be able to see the tires of the car in front of you. Especially when dealing with inexperienced drivers, stopping too fast is much better than stopping too slow.
- Remind your students to leave enough space when stopping.
Step 8. Gradually increase the difficulty of driving situations, such as driving on freeways, in bad weather, and on congested roads
Step 9. Practice the maneuvers that will be tested in the driver's license exam as well as the techniques needed in real situations
Step 10. Do a SIM exam dress rehearsal although you may have to do it yourself
Generally, the driver's guide will provide information about the maneuver to be tested. So, find a clear path and practice using these maneuvers. You may not be able to score, but you can offer feedback, such as "watch your speed" or "you forgot to signal before turning." There are many videos on Youtube that show a SIM A practical exam demo and the POLRI Korlantas also provides practice questions for the SIM A theory test.
Tips
- Try not to panic or scream. Your students are already nervous enough.
- Give directions about the blind spots of drivers and try to stay out of the blind spots of other drivers.
- Give the exercise repeatedly with short sessions.
- Comment on safe driving for yourself and your students.
- In addition to traffic rules, don't forget to teach driving courtesy.
- As your student gets used to it, let him take you where you're going, such as when you have to finish your daily business or get to and from school.
- Don't turn on the radio while learning to drive and move things that can distract you.
- Let your students make mistakes as long as they are not fatal. A stuttering turn or sudden stop may feel uncomfortable, but it's not a big deal, and your students will learn from them.
- Think about your first time driving. What instructions do you need?
- In an emergency situation, correct the position of the steering wheel or apply the emergency brake on the passenger side.
- Do not give contradictory instructions, such as, “go on and stop” or, “go on and back off.”
- Be patient. You'll feel the process of stopping and the road stuttering, especially at the beginning of the practice, and don't expect the driving process to be smooth all the time.
Warning
- Always obey traffic rules. If you don't know the rules regarding learning drivers, find out.
- Don't do this unless your student is old enough.
- In Indonesia, the minimum age for drivers is 17 years in each province. You can start tutoring someone under the age of 17, but you take full responsibility for any mistakes your students make.
