South Australian learner drivers get their P Plates by either the CBT&A (Logbook) or the VORT Test method. What does all this mean and which method is right for you? That is the question In this article we look at what most people call the Logbook method or CBT&A Course. The CBT&A course is made up of thirty (30) separate tasks. These tasks are detailed in the yellow section of your Driver's Companion. Starting with basic skills and working through to country road driving … [Read more...]
Cruise Control Danger On Wet Roads
There are many stories about the danger of using cruise control on wet roads. While some are true, all have a good message - turn off cruise control when driving in the wet. You may have heard that cruise control causes aquaplaning. Aquaplaning is what happens when a vehicle hits a pool or sheet of water at speed, causing the tires to lift off the road and skim across the water. Once on top of the water, there is no contact and no grip! Your car is skimming across the water just like a stone … [Read more...]
Teach Your Learner Driver Enough
When teaching your learner to drive, there is no such thing as too much. Once your learner has their P Plates, all you can do is pray you did enough! If you have a young driver in your life, think ahead to when they are driving on their own. Imagine waiting for them to come home. Perhaps it has been raining for a few hours and they are an hour late. What will you be thinking? What questions will you be asking yourself? Will you be wishing you had done more? Peace-of-mind investment How … [Read more...]
Learner Drivers And Speed Control
Most learner drivers have one thing in common. At some stage or other, they struggle with speed control. Parents, family, friends and driving instructors have a major role to play when it comes to teaching speed control. Huge damage can be done if we get the message wrong! Being patient is the secret! We must not put our need to hurry and our 'always running late' stresses onto our learner drivers. Nine tips for teaching speed control Good speed control is something most new drivers … [Read more...]
Safe Drivers Look Ahead
Over the years we have learned that many experienced drivers do not look ahead as far as they should. Defensive Driving Instructors sit beside many experienced drivers. We watch people drive then help them develop safer habits. The main 'poor habit' we notice is lack of observation. Drivers just don't look around and they definitely don't look far enough ahead. This is not about staring down the road and looking nowhere else. It is about developing good observation habits. Learning to … [Read more...]
Reversing cameras help drivers stay safe
Reversing camera systems help drivers stay safe on the road. Many more drivers are keeping their independence. In the past, drivers unable to turn their head sufficiently were forced to give up their licence. This is no longer the case for more and more drivers. Multi camera reversing systems enable drivers to see and stay safe. Well designed systems may even allow drivers to see more than is possible using mirrors and turning their heads. Blind spot mirrors can help with lane changing … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Kids To Drive
Teaching your kids to drive is the best gift you can give yourself this Christmas. In fact it is the best gift you can give any time. This gift lasts a life time. It promises peace of mind for you and your kids. Not kids any more You need to understand that if your son or daughter is learning to drive, they are not kids any more. Driving on the road needs very adult decision making skills. Treat them like the young adults they are. Make teaching your kids to drive fun Learning has to be fun. … [Read more...]
Expect Red Light Runners
Red light runners. I have been looking for them for years. Looking every where. Last week I saw one, coming directly at me. I was ready. I wasn't sure what was wrong at first but I saw movement, that was enough. I was on the brakes, staying out of the way. The driver was not a hoon. They were not speeding or texting. They just didn't see the lights. They drove straight past other drivers who had already stopped. Straight through a red light. Fortunately this Red Light Runner stopped several … [Read more...]
Can Learner Drivers Tow Trailers?
Learner and P plate drivers can tow trailers in South Australia. South Australian P Plate and Learner drivers can tow any trailer that is legally permitted for the car they are driving. Towing a trailer requires extra skills, planning and thought. There is much to learn including loading the trailer, reversing, managing the extra weight, checking and adjusting the brakes if fitted. Your Supervisor can teach you these and other towing must knows. Tyre pressures are critical. How the … [Read more...]
Autism Spectrum Drivers – Great Drivers
Autism Spectrum drivers make great drivers. You just need to spend enough time and energy teaching them to drive. Many need about three times as much support at drivers not 'on the spectrum'. An Autistic learner driver must learn everything to do, everything not to do then learn that no-one else will drive that way. One of the biggest challenges is learning to cope with other drivers doing the wrong thing. This can be over come with the right support and training. Once it is understood that … [Read more...]
