ADI Part 3 - Attitude

Attitude

Similar to approach to the pupil, this is a sub skill area that the vast majority of trainees have little difficulty with

A score of '5' or '6' is not uncommon

Your general attitude is a wide ranging area. The SE will be assessing your approach to the pupil, to the lesson, to the test, to him or her as a human being

It is simply not possible for two human beings to meet and communicate on any level, in any circumstances, without continually assessing the other persons attitude

Your attitude needs to be professional but not demeaning. You should remain positive and helpful at all times, continually striving to help your learner along

Do not lose patience with the SE if they are finding something a little difficult. Are you sure you've taught the SE correctly?

Strive to 'ooze' an attitude of confidence in your own ability as a driver and as an instructor, but don't be overbearing. You're not trying to show off, you're trying to teach

Road safety is a very big issue for the DSA and for SE's. It should be a very big issue for you as a trainee. In fact, it should be a very big issue for all instructors. Mmm. Another story, not for these pages

The SE will more than likely ask you questions such as "will I pass my test if I do it like this?"

You have a golden opportunity to reply along the lines of "learning to drive is not about passing a test. It's about safe driving for life. That's what the driving test is about. We're working together to turn you into a safe driver for life, so I have every confidence that you'll do well in your test"

Sounds very professional, and it's a great goal to aim for. The DSA's motto is 'safe driving for life', not 'safe driving for a 30 minute test', so as instructors we should aim to promote that

It always surprises me that a great deal of instructor training is based on 'an acceptable standard for a 60 minute test' and not much else. Surely, ADI trainers should be teaching 'excellent instructor skills for life'.

Once again, another story

In the two weeks prior to writing this small page, I've noticed a great many driving instructors throughout the UK on driving lessons . . . I've seen instructors eating sandwiches with a learner emerging onto busy roads with an expression like a frightened rabbit. . . I've seen instructors on mobile phones, gazing through the front passenger window, completely oblivious to what the learner is up to . . . I've see learners sat in cars at supermarkets waiting for the instructor to reappear with bags of shopping . . .

All of these things communicate everything about you. You communicate to your learner in your every action. Not only that, but you communicate to potential future customers who see you. They will ring someone else

I helped an instructor trainer from a company on the South coast recently. I was amazed when he answered his mobile to a potential future client whilst two hopeful trainees sat in the car waiting for him. He paused the training session for 4 or 5 minutes

It's true that people tend to teach in the way that they were taught. But people have choice. You can choose not to do this. Can you even begin to imagine how your learners feel? They may tell you that they don't mind, that it all seems quite normal. But they'll remember and they may not recommend you

You can choose your attitude. You can choose to continue to be professional when you pass, or you can answer your mobile on lessons. Your choice

Attitude goes hand in hand with your approach to the learner

ADIT Team.