Driving is a skill that many people acquire.  The earlier you learn the longer you will have to experience the joy of driving.

As a driving instructor I try to instill in my clients a set of disciplines and routines.  Safe driving is something that should be a habit.  Not something that a driver should have to think about.

Quite some time ago, when I did my advanced driving course I came across a set of questions that made me look at my driving and consider if I was actually a safe and considerate driver.  I decided that I would use these questions and the driving skills that they cover, as a foundation for teaching others.

For your benefit, the questions are listed below.  I suggest that you read each question and if you can answer ‘yes’ to every one, congratulations!

 Question - Are your steering actions safe, smooth and accurate, and do you pass the wheel through your hands?  Steering is an important consideration when learning to drive, aim to always keep your left hand to the left of the steering wheel and your right hand to the right.  In this way your control of the steering wheel is maximised.

 Question - Can you drive with reasonable restraint without being hesitant?  Is your judgement of speed and distance accurate?  These are skills a good driver possesses.

Question – Can you reverse left into a limited opening remaining reasonably close to the kerb, observing all around you?  One of the manoeuvres you could be asked to perform is reversing into a side road.  It needs to be done in a controlled manner whilst ensuring observation all around you .

Question – Can you reverse park either on the road or in a car park whilst safely observing all around you?  There are two parking manoeuvres.  You need to be able to reverse park into a parking bay.  The other parking exercise is known as a ‘parallel park’ where you reverse park on the road.

Question – Can you turn the car around using forward and reverse gears whilst safely observing all around you?  One of the manouevres you could be asked to perform is a ‘turn in the road’.  It is important that you practise effective observation whilst maintaining control of the car.

Question – Do you always position correctly, with the correct gear selected for the speed at which you are travelling?  Unless you drive an automatic, correct gear selection is important as is ensuring that you travel at a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Question – Do you concentrate properly and avoid distractions?  Can you read the road and anticipate potential hazards in good time?  These are both driving skills that good drivers possess.

Question – Do you drive with courtesy and consideration for other road users, including pedestrians?  In order to be a good safe driver you need to be considerate of ALL road users!

Question – Do you mirror check before change of speed or direction and always signal for the benefit of other road users?  Regular mirror checking and helpful signalling are what good drivers do.

Question – Unless you drive an automatic, are gears smoothly and correctly selected?  Is your braking smooth and progressive?  Do you use acceleration sense?  There is nothing worse than a driver pulling away with tyres screaming, gears crashing as they are changed and worse still, hard braking!

Question – Do you always travel at a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear?  Knowing your stopping ability is so important if you want to be a safe driver.  Braking differs from one vehicle to another so ensure you know your capabilities.