Allowing for human error, these Stages are as technically correct as possible and soundly based on good teaching and learning principles.

It is difficult to suit all of the people all of the time but within certain defined limits; these Stages are flexible enough to suit your needs most of the time. As I've already suggested, a module of learning is a self-contained unit, which is, in itself, complete. For example the manoeuvring exercises are, in themselves, complete, and could be taught in total isolation and independently from the other driving skills.

Control skills could be taught separately from theoretical knowledge of the Highway Code. However, in driving terms it is questionable whether this is practical, desirable or acceptable. Hence the Stages are progressive and overlapping modules.



STAGE 1

Subject to location available, a careful choice of 'off-the-road' training area or roads should be made to ensure that where possible there will be as few external distractions to you as possible. I will try to keep you calm and relaxed and I will not over-stretch you. If you become distressed - I will stop you - and then we will start again.

STAGE 2
Again, subject to the locality, we choose quiet roads avoiding where possible busy road junctions, where you may feel rushed or become anxious because you feel you are holding up other traffic. The least distractions the better. Stage 2 is an extension of Stage 1; each objective must be achieved but not necessarily on the same lesson.

STAGE M
In order to achieve a reasonable degree of flexibility for both of us, you and I, the manoeuvres are separated from the main Stages. I will use my own judgement in relation to each of you, pupils, when deciding what is best for you as individuals. I may cover this Stage parallel with the others when I consider your skills adequate to ensure reasonable success, or I may use certain exercises to develop your control skills if this is felt desirable.

STAGE 3
You should now begin to apply the control learned in the previous Stages. Busier junctions may be used but the situation will be 'basic-rule-type' junctions, avoiding the complicated and the exceptions where this is possible.

STAGE 4
It should now be possible to progressively introduce more complex and busier situations, covering all possible variations to the basic rules. I will ensure that the learning is based on 'understanding.' Further to the development of you as a 'thinking driver' and improve your forward planning. This will be a time for consolidation of all previous Stages by more practical application. Revision and practice.

STAGE 5
Final preparation for the 'Driving Test' will include 'mock tests.' I do not allow the pupil to form the wrong ideas of the Department of Transport's Examiners or the Driving Test. I also guard against the 'halo effect' and its opposite pole when I conduct mock tests. Confidence and self-reliance is your main aim.

The Driving Test and the Examiners.

I most strongly urge to book a pass plus course which includes two-hour motorway-driving lesson when you've passed your driving test. The experience of further high-speed driving, such as on motorways is a completely different style of driving which, should, ideally have some initial professional supervision.

When you are prepared to pay a sum of money for a course of driving lessons, it indicates to me that for sometimes greater or lesser reasons you are motivated with a desire to learn. Alert and keen at the start of a course, a readiness to follow instructions and practice in eager anticipation of the next Stage. But, too often this initial desire does not have the impetus or strength to maintain full interest and attention throughout a whole course of learning.

Interest will be stimulated and maintained through encouragement and approval for effort but, a weakness of individual tuition is, that when you are deprived of any group learning situation you cannot measure your progress with that of you peers and if you feel you are making slow progress, or none at all, encouragement from me, your driving instructor, alone, will not always reassure your fears of your own supposed inabilities. If I was an unsympathetic instructor, you could come to feel completely isolated, discouraged and incompetent, if not completely demoralised.

Hence STAGES.

As I have already written, the setting of intermediate and easily attainable targets (short-term goals) will help to reinforce your feedback of progress, and mine to you. But remember to maintain a high level of performance and learning, you need and MUST receive reward and encouragement to motivate greater effort for further achievement.

That's why I use Stages.

MOST PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO DRIVE - how well? - That depends on their Instructor - quality counts.