Teaching learner drivers
The facts
- Learner drivers are statistically less likely to be in a crash than other drivers.
- The risk of being involved in a crash increases for young drivers once they get their probationary licence.
- Learner drivers need a minimum of 120 hours of logged driving practice before they can sit for their probationary licence test.
- A learner driver must log a minimum of 20 hours of night time driving. When L plate drivers move to their probationary licence they're at a much greater risk of being in a crash at night.
- Gaining experience in all conditions helps to improve driving skills and reduce risks when a driver gets their probationary licence.
- The introduction of the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) has helped to reduce deaths and serious injuries of young drivers
Night time driving
Red P-plate drivers are at higher risk of death or serious injury when they’re driving at night. You can help to reduce these risks by preparing them for the dangers they’ll face on the roads.
Logging 20 hours of driving at night is the minimum, you should aim to get as many hours as possible driving at night so they’re ready to drive on their own.
Night time driving
Red P-plate drivers are at higher risk of death or serious injury when they’re driving at night. You can help to reduce these risks by preparing them for the dangers they’ll face on the roads.
Logging 20 hours of driving at night is the minimum, you should aim to get as many hours as possible driving at night so they’re ready to drive on their own.
Ensure that you:
- Provide opportunities to practise at different times of the night, from dusk through to late at night and early in the morning. This will help them to learn how different levels of light impact visibility.
- Drive on different types of roads, from the city to the country so that your young driver is comfortable in low light and knows when and how to use their high beam headlights. It is important for them to understand that visibility changes at different times of the day.
- Try to provide opportunities to drive at night during rainy and windy weather so that your learner can practise driving in all weather conditions.
- Low visibility means that there is less time to respond to risks, take the time to drive on roads with low or no lighting so that they are prepared to drive on their own in these conditions.
- Talk about the risks of driving drowsy and planning ahead so they're not tempted to drive when tired or when they've been drinking.
You can use these driving experiences as opportunities to discuss why it can be riskier to drive at night and to help your Learner driver understand the dangers. Even after they have their P Plate licence it's worth continuing to offer to supervise while they're building up their driving experience.
Keeping your kids safe
Teaching learner drivers can be a daunting responsibility, particularly for parents. The more practise a learner driver can have in all road conditions, the safer they will be on the roads when they get their probationary licence.
Before you start supervising a young driver it’s important to prepare so that both you and the learner driver are set up for success.
Am I the right person to supervise?
To be eligible as a supervising driver you need to comply with all of the supervising driver requirements outlined on the VicRoads website. This includes having a current Victorian full (not probationary) driver licence and not drinking any alcohol while supervising. You also need to complete your details in the 'List for Supervising Drivers' and 'Declaration of Completion' in the Learner Log Book.
If I can't supervise, who can?
If you feel you are not the right person to supervise, choose someone who is a fully licensed driver that complies with the guidelines and can also provide support and encouragement.
The TAC L2P Program assists learners between 16 and 21 years of age, who do not have access to a supervising driver or vehicle, to gain the driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence. Find out more on the VicRoads website
Where to practice
- Learner driver trips can be made a part of everyday activity. Trips to school and sport are ideal regular practice. Even a five-minute drive to the shops will involve parking and operating in busy areas.
- Having to deal with other drivers in difficult situations, such as frustrations when finding a parking spot, can teach both driving and life skills.
- At times when you are driving, point out to your learner the hazards that lie ahead and what you do to avoid risky situations.
- Practice in all driving conditions, including at night, at dawn and dusk and in all weather conditions. Find out more
- Try to get driving experience in different locations, including in city areas and on regional roads.
Time
Make sure you allow time to supervise your learner driver. You don't need to be an expert driving instructor, simply make yourself available so you can provide guidance to increase your learner driver's confidence and experience.
Your learner's safety is going to come down to the time you can make available.
The key to reducing P plater crashes is to increase driving experience before they become an independent driver. That is why your time can make a real difference.
Tips for supervising drivers
You don't have to be an expert when supervising a learner driver. Your most valuable role is to give your child plenty of practice time behind the wheel. If you aren't available, they are unable to gain valuable driving experience. It also pays to remember the chance of an accident is very low for learners with an experienced driver beside them in the car.
Where to start
- First read the VicRoads Learner Kit which will give you an outline of what you need to know and your obligations when supervising a learner driver.
- Brush up on your road laws by reading Driving in Victoria: rules and responsibilities.
- Consider giving your child professional driving tuition. Contact VicRoads for details or call 13 11 71.
- Talk to friends about their experience with learner drivers for some ideas on the best approach for you.
The basics
- Once you have explained the basics of the car start your learner driver in a quiet area or empty car park so they can get a feel for the car and its basic controls. Practice taking off smoothly, stopping, changing gears (if they are learning in a manual car) and braking.
- Be patient and offer constructive advice – this helps you both feel confident and positive.
- Move on to driving in low traffic and good weather so handling the car feels more natural and the learner's confidence improves.
- When you are both ready, build up to longer trips in a variety of traffic conditions.
- Make practice sessions part of the normal routine – school, shopping, or visiting friends.
Skills to share with a learner driver
- Keep a safe distance behind the car in front. Research shows that rear-end crashes are common for younger drivers. Leave enough room between your car and the vehicle in front so there is time to deal with any unexpected events. This distance is at least two seconds between you and the vehicle in front – allow more in poor driving conditions.
- Talk to your learner driver about driving safely around vulnerable road users including, people riding bicycles and those on motorcycles.
- Travel through complex intersections.
- Choose the right speed for the conditions.
- Merging onto freeways and changing lanes.
How to supervise your learner driver
- Be positive.
- Don't practice if you are tired or feeling stressed.
- If you do get frustrated, stop the car safely and calm down before recommencing the lesson.
- Remember that we all make mistakes.
- Plan ahead. Plan driving routes that match the learner's ability. Don't try too much too soon.
- Talk to a professional driving instructor about the progress of the learner to assess what the next steps should be.
- Sit in on a lesson with a professional driving instructor to get a feel for the skill level of your learner, and how the driver trainer manages different driving situations.
