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Driving instructors are supposed to make you feel safe. At the time you begin driving lessons, you may have never touched a steering wheel before. Instructors are supposed to guide you through the rules of the road and mastering the art of smooth steering. So what do you do when you find yourself cringing at the thought of your next lesson? If your heart pounds and your hands tremble every time you get in the car with your instructor, you may need to find a solution—your safety depends on it.
Is It A Problem?
Sure, different personalities can sometimes clash. Just because your driving instructor is a bit more outgoing or quieter than you are, it doesn’t mean they are incompetent. The real problem is if the instructor makes you feel degraded or nervous during your lessons. If you find yourself having difficulty focusing on your driving because of your instructor’s demeanor or tone, you may have a problematic trainer. These types of teachers are not really teaching you at all. They can make driving a nightmare rather than a pleasant experience and you may find yourself avoiding driving altogether. Sometimes new drivers make mistakes and it is the instructor’s place to explain what was done wrong and how to improve it. That being said, an instructor should never snap or make the driver feel shaky or nervous.
Where To Turn
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do if you have a poor driving instructor. It’s possible to make a complaint to your city, but these complaints have little merit. The provincial government doesn’t have the authority to shut down driving schools. In fact, some of the people who run driving schools have several demerit points, traffic violations and formal complaints on their record and they are still able to teach. In Ontario, instructors need to accumulate several demerit points against them before the government can take action. While large-scale complaints probably won’t get you very far, you can always call the driving school and ask to switch instructors (though most driving schools are run by one or two people). See what options are available to you.
Focus On Your Goals
Don’t let a bad teacher sour your outlook on driving. Completing the course is important. It will make you a more informed driver and your insurance rates will be lower because of this. Whenever you feel like quitting, keep the positives in mind. Most drivers’ education courses need around ten hours of in-car lessons. This in-car time is not that long, if you can manage the situation. A moody instructor should not keep you from getting your license. Tough things out for the few hours you will have to spend with him or her. However, if you are being harassed in any way or are uncomfortable being alone with your instructor, remove yourself from the situation. Depending on the severity of the circumstances, your reaction can be different. You may need to call the school and switch instructors, change driving schools or report harassment and abuse to the police.
Do What Seems Best For You
Obviously, if you have a calm and understanding teacher, your experience will be more gratifying. A bad experience can threaten to ruin your confidence, so try to turn your negative situation into a more positive one. If there is something you can do to help yourself, do it. Find an instructor who makes you believe you can become a great driver. If your current instructor is a bit overbearing but tolerable, consider giving things a try. Stay with the instructor until your classes are over. But never, ever remain in a situation where you are experiencing abuse. You may not get much from reporting the instructor to the government, but you can certainly report them to the police if necessary.
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