Was my Driving instructor wrong

  • sonnymc's Avatar
    Hello
    I'm just about annoyed and confused with my instructor with my resent lessons
    I Drove back in covid and failed my test 3 times back then, after my third i lost my job and stopped

    anyways so recently i started learning again, back with the same instructor
    last few lessons, my instructor has been abit on edge?

    I would come to roundabout, and my mistake after exiting she wants me to go to the right lane i exit by mistake on the left lane, then move over after
    i do know that yes it is easier going right side of roundabout to exit into the right land because on this roundabout you can and i know it would be easier but how she tells me after with a raised voice making it said like i would fail if i did that on test

    It's happened on afew different roundabouts, over the last few lessons
    I know it would not be a fail.. i just think that is over the top harsh for no reason

    And today, i came to a junction with a KEEP CLEAR sign on the floor *cars infront of it*, for some reason i didnt see the road marking my fault

    and instead of allowing me to stop on the area she slammed on the break and again raised her voice at me

    I thinking at the time she slammed on, yes i should not stop there, but did she really need to slam on, the other side of the road was clear, no cars coming

    yes i know it would of been a fail but, thats abit harsh from her?

    Last one..
    Same lesson today. i came to a roundabout i looked to the right
    As i went to set off the cars on the right just started to roll/set off
    i knew i had enough room to safely proceed since they just at the same time set off

    My instrutor slammed the breaks on and again raised her voice at me,
    i said to her i saw the cars on the right, i went to set off, at the same time

    She told me no you should not do that, with a raised voice
    Ok i understand, if they was oready set off as i come to the egde of the roundabout i would wait
    But i was oready at the roundabout, waiting, saw it was clear and went to set off, same time on the right side did, and its not a small roundabout, i would say about 2.5.3 second for the cars to get half way over it

    Please answer these questions dont hold back, i know she should be talking to me in a more carm manner, but like...
    i have my test tomorrow...

    thanks Sonny
  • 5 Replies

  • sonnymc's Avatar
    My last example, was my instructor wrong to slam on?
  • olduser's Avatar
    Seeing as you asked:
    You must understand, a car has the potential to kill, and therefore must be used carefully, there are very basic laws and guidance in the Highway Code.
    These 'rules' are to enable all road road users to cooperate and use the roads simultaneously.

    Following these guidelines on a roundabout will keep you, and others safe, and let others know what you are intending to do, they do need to know.

    I would suggest you reread the roundabout guidance in the code, and try to understand them, why are they there?
    If you cannot see, and understand how they are for everyone's safety, then read them again, and/or ask your instructor to explain.

    The last time I read the Highway Code, I did not see any note saying something like, "The contents apply to all road users with the exception of sonnymc"!

    The relationship between you and your instructor is up to you, you can change instructors but you will still be picked up on mistakes, after all, that is what you are paying for.
    Last edited by olduser; 04-12-24 at 13:07.
  • Mark07's Avatar
    Community Manager
    The relationship between learner and instructor is important. People learn in different ways; with some firm/clear direction will motivate them, others prefer a more supportive guide.

    Personally, I'd recommend that you speak to your instructor to clear the air/get the guidance you're looking for in the way that suits you.

    I remember speaking to my instructor and asking him to give me a little more information when I was learning.

    For example; when telling me that I'd made a mistake I asked him to confirm if this would translate to a minor/major in a test situation. This allowed me to process the feedback appropriately and not fixate on smaller issues as I was driving.

    That worked for me, but you may find a different approach works for you.
  • Drivingforfun's Avatar
    I hope this doesn't come across as disrespectful to anyone, and don't know if it's applicable to instructors who teach learners, but I find some advanced driving instructors very - for want of a better word - stiff. I'm aware that driving a car is a responsibility, but I think some need reminding they're teaching people to drive a ubiquitous mode of transport that to most people is mundane, it's not a stealth bomber

    Making something too serious for someone and putting them on edge can have the opposite effect to the one you're trying to impose. Most of the people I know who do stuff that is life-and-death are actually very laid back - sometimes to the point where if you didn't know them, you'd think they didn't care.

    As above I guess it's different personalities - no right or wrong and different approaches work for different people, so the point of what I'm saying is find someone else you get on better with
  • TC1474's Avatar
    I hope this doesn't come across as disrespectful to anyone, and don't know if it's applicable to instructors who teach learners, but I find some advanced driving instructors very - for want of a better word - stiff. I'm aware that driving a car is a responsibility, but I think some need reminding they're teaching people to drive a ubiquitous mode of transport that to most people is mundane, it's not a stealth bomber

    I come across this very thing frequently when I am examining advanced instructors wishing to renew their teaching qualification, they think they are something special and this translates int the way they instruct.

    Many an occasion I have had to remind them that they were also once a student at that level and had no idea, so patience is the key.

    But I agree with what you say