Are you Learning to Drive?
Finding your Supervising Driver
A supervising driver must hold a current full Canadian driver licence – not a learner or provisional licence. It is a good idea to combine professional driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor and reputable driving school. By learning to drive with a driving school or a driver trainer, you to learn the driving skills you need to be a safe and competent driver.
The supervising driver must have a blood alcohol content (BAC) limit under 0.05 while supervising a learner.
So, who can be your supervising driver?
- Depending on your class of licence, your supervising driver must hold the correct class of licence. For example, if the person taking you has only ever driven automatic vehicles and has a licence class to suit, you can only learn in an auto and not in a manual.
- Holder of a current full Canadian driver licence which can include a family member or friend. (Not a learner or provisional licence holder or anyone with a suspended or disqualified licence status).
- Professional driver training from a reputable driving school with qualified driving instructors.
Adjustments
Seat
This is a check you need to go through before you start driving. The first place to start is your seat. Why? Because once your seated in the correct place, everything else around you has to be adjusted to suit your seated position. After your legs are slightly bent, you need to adjust your arm length. A good tip is to put your arms out over the steering wheel so that your wrists can rest on top.
Steering wheel
When adjusting the steering wheel, you should be able to see the dashboard and gauges through the top half of the steering wheel. Once the steering wheel has been positioned, you need to adjust the headrest. Don’t forget, your headrest does serve a purpose as it’s there to support your head and neck in case you’re involved in a crash.
Seat belt
Place your seat belt on so that the sash section of the seat belt cuts across your shoulder and the lap section of your seat belt cuts across your hips. A lap sash seat belt is just a another way of describing a seat belt that combines a strap over the thighs with a diagonal strap across the chest and over one shoulder.
It is suggested that you grab the seat belt and give it a couple of quick short tugs to ensure that it is firmly fitted.
Mirrors
The next thing to do is check your three (3) mirrors. These include your centre rear view mirror and one (1) mirror either side of the vehicle. This is extremely important as it provides visibility and enhances safety on the roads. Your rear view mirror should be adjusted so that when you into it, you can clearly see the back window.
Your side mirrors should be adjusted so that when you look into them from sitting in your normal driving position, the horizon (the point at which the road disappears into the distance) is in the centre of the mirror. You need to make sure that there is a small section of the side of your vehicle in the left side of the mirror. This will allow you to see more of the road behind you.
Adjust the left mirror using the same technique as the right whilst seated in the same driving position.
Your First Lesson
After navigating around the dashboard and familiarising yourself with the controls and gauges, its time to be introduced to the road for the first time. It is a great idea to commence driving skills in low-traffic areas, such as industrial estates and quiet suburban streets however, with local knowledge, you may be aware of ideal locations. Your supervising driver or qualified driving instructor, should provide you with planned driving lessons to equip you with the necessary skills to pass the driving test and going on to become a safe and responsible driver.