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Driving Tips, Advice & Instructor Training Articles
Welcome to the Chris Deane ADI blog. Explore expert driving tips, practical test advice, and professional driving instructor training resources tailored for learners and trainees in Portsmouth and surrounding areas.
Parents behind the wheel!
Written by Chris Deane ADI
The Hidden Influence on Children’s Driving Habits As parents, we often forget how closely our children watch us. From the way we speak to how we handle stressful situations, our actions leave a lasting impression. One area where this influence is particularly profound, yet often overlooked, is when we're behind the wheel. Parents, as primary role models, play a pivotal role in shaping their children's future driving behaviours—long before they ever sit in the driver’s seat. Here, we explore how parental driving habits influence children and the potential long-term effects of this often-overlooked mentorship. 1. The Power of Observation: A Child’s Unconscious Learning Children are natural imitators. Even when they appear engrossed in a book or game in the back…
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A common problem!
Written by Chris Deane ADI
A Common Problem I got a call a while back from an ADI friend of mine whom I hadn’t spoken to for quite some time. Andy was down in the dumps because another of his pupils had just failed, and he was having quite a poor run of test results. Meeting up for a coffee and a chat, I helped him identify why! His recent test failure was a pupil he was confident he could bet his house on passing. Week after week, with near-faultless drives, they were both confident the test would be a breeze. So what went wrong? Well, as it turned out, much to Andy’s surprise, the reason his latest pupil failed is not uncommon. So I…
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That first real pupil.
Written by Chris Deane ADI
So you passed Part3 and are now about to meet your first real pupil. Don’t panic! Just relax, it is not a test, and your pupil is no expert. They will not be judging you and will have no idea if you are doing things the right or wrong way. Remember your training, plan the lesson well, and there is no reason it cannot be a success in getting your new career off to a great start. Route planning plays an important part in any driving lesson. It should always match both your pupils’ ability and allow for the aims of the lesson to be achieved. If you are not familiar with the area, you should visit it beforehand to…
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Keep it Brief!
Written by Chris Deane ADI
Briefings need to be short and to the point! Before you start to ask what your pupil knows. This should be done by way of RECAP questions, the nature of which will depend on the pupil you are dealing with. If that pupil has started with you from day one, then you should already know! However, in the Part 3 test, the examiner will be role-playing a learner you have not met before. Therefore, you first need to establish what skills or knowledge this pupil has that will help with the new lesson. Going from the known to the unknown. When we teach our pupils to drive, we follow a basic syllabus. This keeps the lessons simple and breaks learning to drive…
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In-car training!
Written by Chris Deane ADI
Training to be a Driving Instructor requires dedication, and there are no shortcuts! Three qualifying tests to pass, each of which provides the skills and knowledge for the next. Sadly, just like our learner drivers, not enough study time seems to be dedicated to passing the first stage! The Theory and Hazard Perception Test (Part 1). There are no restrictions on the number of attempts at this first hurdle, and the theory test is multiple-choice. Sadly, many simply try and try again until they pass but fail to put enough study into their preparation. Worse still, once passed, they put the books away to gather dust and never revisit them! The driving ability test (Part 2) is the next hurdle on the road…
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My Last Fleet Check Test
Written by Chris Deane ADI
My Last Fleet Check Test Back in early October 2013, I was due to sit my first Fleet check test, but it was postponed because my Mum was taken ill suddenly and had to be hospitalised. Shortly after I received a new appointment for 7th January 2014, the result was shown to the side. This blog entry was originally going to be a write-up of the test itself; however, on reflection, as the Check tests are changing later this year (April 2014), I have decided to pass on my thoughts regarding the change, share my opinion on the test itself, and touch on some other areas that I feel are relevant. So, firstly, when I hear the word test, it…
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Quality Time!
Written by Chris Deane ADI
Day after day, hour after hour and minute after minute, time ticks by! You can spend many an hour sitting, reading books, and watching videos, but is that time studying being put to good use? This may seem like a strange question, but I remember the hours and hours I spent locked away reading books and watching videos all in my quest to become a successful driving instructor. However, looking back, I have realised that a lot of the material I was reading or watching was not actually helping me achieve my goal. Please don't get me wrong here; a lot of the information I've been taking on board has helped me. The problem was that much of it was…
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