Forgive yourself.
Discussion
Forgive Yourself
There comes a point in a driving course when the nature of an instructors job changes. Take an advanced course for instance, which in my force is 4 weeks long. The first three weeks are very intensive for the instructor, who initially "drives" the car from the passenger seat, constantly staying ahead of the student, and issuing timely instructions designed to encourage the student to change their driving habits and improve their observations and planning.
Towards the end of week 3, however, the instructor starts letting the students have a go by themselves, and into week 4, they should be consistently producing drives of an advanced standard, without instruction. This is really the make-or-break point for the student, because it's the point when the instructor finds out whether all their efforts have been worth it, or whether they might as well have taken the opportunity to have the occasional drive themselves, because a student is hopeless when left to their own devices.
By far the most difficult task for an instructor is getting students ready for test. It goes without saying that driving tests of any description, by their very nature, are stressful events. Imagine, however, the additional stress on a students shoulders if that test meant the difference between getting their dream specialist role, or going back to their old job. That's why, on the lead-up to test day, the instructors role changes from teacher to psychoanalyst/coach/ego-booster/confidence builder/mind-reader and all-round shoulder to cry on.
The most difficult aspect for students to deal with is how to cope with their own mistakes. A common misconception is thinking that the examiner is looking for the perfect drive. Believe me - if the examiner were looking for a perfect drive from a student, they'd have the most disappointing job in the entire world. The thing is, you see, being human beings, none of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes.
Every single time I drive a car, no matter how far, I make a mistake or a series of mistakes. I could take you out and give you an advanced-level demonstration drive with full commentary, which to the untrained eye would be smooth, systematic, progressive and correct in every way, but there would be mistakes in there. I might allow my following position to slip back to 3 seconds a few times, or conversely, I might accelerate within my following position when overtaking. I could mis-judge my acceleration sense and have to brake gently on a motorway, or I might position incorrectly in a following position and miss an overtake. You might miss all the errors because my commentary would be directing your attention further up the road, but I'd know they were there.
So what chance have students got then, after 4 weeks training, of producing a perfect drive?
None whatsoever, and this is what's difficult to get across to them on the lead-up to test day.
You will make mistakes during your drive, and the examiner isn't looking to fail you for those mistakes. What they're looking for is your ability to recover from the mistake, and for you not to make the same mistake again. The examiner's view is that everyone can make a mistake, but if you make the same mistake again and again, then it's not a mistake anymore - it's a fault, and faults will fail you.
So how does this translate to our everyday driving? Better than you might think, actually.
The trick, if you can do it, is in three parts...
1. Recognise the error immediately.
2. Make a mental note of it.
3. When similar circumstances arise again, don't make the same mistake again.
And above everything else, you must forgive yourself.
If you carry on with the drive, mentally beating yourself up about a mistake that you have made, your ability to concentrate on your driving will drop considerably. I've known students who, for the first half of a test, have produced a very good, advanced-level drive. They have then made a simple mistake around the halfway point, and spent the rest of the drive going over that mistake in their mind - the second half of the drive has then suffered dramatically and the student has failed, simply because they struggle with the mental process of forgiving themselves.
If you're out for a drive and you make an error, providing an accident doesn't occurr, just forgive yourself, wave an apology to anyone else who might have been affected, and then leave the mistake where you made it.
Just remember to make that mental note, and don't make the same mistake again.
For the length of that particular drive, anyway.
There comes a point in a driving course when the nature of an instructors job changes. Take an advanced course for instance, which in my force is 4 weeks long. The first three weeks are very intensive for the instructor, who initially "drives" the car from the passenger seat, constantly staying ahead of the student, and issuing timely instructions designed to encourage the student to change their driving habits and improve their observations and planning.
Towards the end of week 3, however, the instructor starts letting the students have a go by themselves, and into week 4, they should be consistently producing drives of an advanced standard, without instruction. This is really the make-or-break point for the student, because it's the point when the instructor finds out whether all their efforts have been worth it, or whether they might as well have taken the opportunity to have the occasional drive themselves, because a student is hopeless when left to their own devices.
By far the most difficult task for an instructor is getting students ready for test. It goes without saying that driving tests of any description, by their very nature, are stressful events. Imagine, however, the additional stress on a students shoulders if that test meant the difference between getting their dream specialist role, or going back to their old job. That's why, on the lead-up to test day, the instructors role changes from teacher to psychoanalyst/coach/ego-booster/confidence builder/mind-reader and all-round shoulder to cry on.
The most difficult aspect for students to deal with is how to cope with their own mistakes. A common misconception is thinking that the examiner is looking for the perfect drive. Believe me - if the examiner were looking for a perfect drive from a student, they'd have the most disappointing job in the entire world. The thing is, you see, being human beings, none of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes.
Every single time I drive a car, no matter how far, I make a mistake or a series of mistakes. I could take you out and give you an advanced-level demonstration drive with full commentary, which to the untrained eye would be smooth, systematic, progressive and correct in every way, but there would be mistakes in there. I might allow my following position to slip back to 3 seconds a few times, or conversely, I might accelerate within my following position when overtaking. I could mis-judge my acceleration sense and have to brake gently on a motorway, or I might position incorrectly in a following position and miss an overtake. You might miss all the errors because my commentary would be directing your attention further up the road, but I'd know they were there.
So what chance have students got then, after 4 weeks training, of producing a perfect drive?
None whatsoever, and this is what's difficult to get across to them on the lead-up to test day.
You will make mistakes during your drive, and the examiner isn't looking to fail you for those mistakes. What they're looking for is your ability to recover from the mistake, and for you not to make the same mistake again. The examiner's view is that everyone can make a mistake, but if you make the same mistake again and again, then it's not a mistake anymore - it's a fault, and faults will fail you.
So how does this translate to our everyday driving? Better than you might think, actually.
The trick, if you can do it, is in three parts...
1. Recognise the error immediately.
2. Make a mental note of it.
3. When similar circumstances arise again, don't make the same mistake again.
And above everything else, you must forgive yourself.
If you carry on with the drive, mentally beating yourself up about a mistake that you have made, your ability to concentrate on your driving will drop considerably. I've known students who, for the first half of a test, have produced a very good, advanced-level drive. They have then made a simple mistake around the halfway point, and spent the rest of the drive going over that mistake in their mind - the second half of the drive has then suffered dramatically and the student has failed, simply because they struggle with the mental process of forgiving themselves.
If you're out for a drive and you make an error, providing an accident doesn't occurr, just forgive yourself, wave an apology to anyone else who might have been affected, and then leave the mistake where you made it.
Just remember to make that mental note, and don't make the same mistake again.
For the length of that particular drive, anyway.
ipsg.glf said:
Would commenting on the mistake be useful for the instructor?
So they know that you know of the mistake.
So they know that you know of the mistake.
No - there is always the slight (and it is slight!) possibility that they've missed it, so don't draw their attention to it. Use your commentary to keep their attention in the distance, and keep telling them what you're going to do, and you could possibly distract them from a minor error.
Knowing the examiners though, it's unlikely you'd succeed.
They're not looking to see if you're aware of the mistake - they're looking if you'll make the same mistake again. So by making sure that you don't repeat the error, you're demonstrating that you are aware that you made it in the first place.
If that makes sense?
ipsg.glf said:
Would commenting on the mistake be useful for the instructor?
So they know that you know of the mistake.
So they know that you know of the mistake.
They'll know.
You are going to make mistakes & they are going to notice them.
You start with 100% and the idea is loose as few marks (make as few mistakes) as possible.
It's a bit like the examiner has a hammer, 100 nails & a coffin lid. As you make mistakes the nails go into the coffin lid. Too many mistakes & you can't get the lid off. However it is possible to get nails out by impressing, but you have to work harder to get them back. You'll need to impress twice to get one nail out if you like. Usually the easiest way to impress is within the commentary by selling your observation, anticipation & planning well.
Be positive and have an attitude that all the time you are driving you can get marks back, rather than dwelling on the mistakes resulting in concentration slip. See everything as a positive opportunity to sell you & your drive. Even being held up by traffic for example you can sell the fact that you are not going to get frustrated, you are still looking for progress, but you are going to show restraint and wait for that safe opportunity for which you'll be ready.
When you go into a test situation be honest with yourself about the level you are at. Aim to produce a drive at the level you have already been consistently performing. If you try to shoot significantly higher (or start looking for perfection), it will inevitably lead to more mistakes. You can improve steadily later with more experience, a test is not the time to try & make large leaps forward. You need to get into the driving seat confident in the knowledge of what you are going to produce & be aware that it is not going to be perfect.
Build yourself into the drive. Don't try to perform at your maximum capability from the off. Be a little conservative to settle into it. If you were a little cautious or reserved in the first 5 mins, that will be forgiven or forgotten if you have performed to your potential for the rest of the drive. If however you try to perform at maximum performance from the off, you are more likely to make mistakes in the first 5 mins & these early mistakes can have an unsettling effect adversely affecting the larger part.
As has been said, when you make a mistake they'll be looking to see whether you repeat &/or how the mistake affects the rest of the drive. Turn the negative (the mistake) into a positive (a good attitude & response to the mistake).
Accuracy & consistency are key.
Edited by vonhosen on Wednesday 21st February 17:35
ipsg.glf said:
Reg, von
It might be useful if you could give examples of what you consider to be minor errors.
Is straying onto the cats eyes on a dual carrigeway considered an error, or is it just one of the hazards of using al of the available space in a lane?
It might be useful if you could give examples of what you consider to be minor errors.
Is straying onto the cats eyes on a dual carrigeway considered an error, or is it just one of the hazards of using al of the available space in a lane?
It really can be anything, but failing to hold lines would be yes.
I wouldn't dock you marks first time with very minor things, it's a freebie (because I'm all heart
), but you've drawn my attention to it so now I'm actively looking for evidence of a repetition. If more follow, marks start being docked. If you do it all the time, the question has to be asked "Could someone who has that inherent fault call themself an advanced driver ?" Of course I should also be noting lots of good stuff to more than balance out a few mistakes.
Edited by vonhosen on Wednesday 21st February 19:37
Although a mere civvy with the IAM one thing I stress to my Associates is that they will make mistakes (and yes I include myself). The difference being that once they have done the IAM they will be much more aware of them and should be able to pin-point what they did wrong and hopefully learn from it.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
over_the_hill said:
Although a mere civvy with the IAM one thing I stress to my Associates is that they will make mistakes (and yes I include myself). The difference being that once they have done the IAM they will be much more aware of them and should be able to pin-point what they did wrong and hopefully learn from it.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
If important shouldn't the examiner be establishing that in any debrief through questioning, even if the driver doesn't volunteer them ?
vonhosen said:
over_the_hill said:
Although a mere civvy with the IAM one thing I stress to my Associates is that they will make mistakes (and yes I include myself). The difference being that once they have done the IAM they will be much more aware of them and should be able to pin-point what they did wrong and hopefully learn from it.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
If important shouldn't the examiner be establishing that in any debrief through questioning, even if the driver doesn't volunteer them ?
Yes - but with the stress of the test the Associate may not be able to recall the exact details of the incident at the end. Better to deal with it there and then and be done.
over_the_hill said:
vonhosen said:
over_the_hill said:
Although a mere civvy with the IAM one thing I stress to my Associates is that they will make mistakes (and yes I include myself). The difference being that once they have done the IAM they will be much more aware of them and should be able to pin-point what they did wrong and hopefully learn from it.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
As far as errors on test go I usually advise that they do point this out to the examiner (even if not doing commentary at the time) so that the examiner knows that they are aware of what they have done wrong and that it was wrong. This demonstartes that they are aware of what they should be doing.
If important shouldn't the examiner be establishing that in any debrief through questioning, even if the driver doesn't volunteer them ?
Yes - but with the stress of the test the Associate may not be able to recall the exact details of the incident at the end. Better to deal with it there and then and be done.
You don't have to be able to recall the exact scenario to test knowledge, you can use other methods such as a hypothetical scenario & questioning of the thought processes behind any answer given.
It's only a small point, so I'm not going to labour on it, but as an examiner I personally would rather people concentrate on what's coming next, than them display their awareness of faults by giving me historical information at that time.
Edited by vonhosen on Thursday 22 February 14:19
Thanks for a really excellent article. Definitely resonated with me, and I've recommended it to some people who share our interest.
I've been pondering one aspect of the article, as it relates to the examination of traffic officers...
By far the most difficult task for an instructor is getting students ready for test. It goes without saying that driving tests of any description, by their very nature, are stressful events. Imagine, however, the additional stress on a students shoulders if that test meant the difference between getting their dream specialist role, or going back to their old job. That's why, on the lead-up to test day, the instructors role changes from teacher to psychoanalyst/coach/ego-booster/confidence builder/mind-reader and all-round shoulder to cry on.
With this level of coaching and preparation, akin to an athlete preparing for a significant event, will the candidate's performance on test flatter to deceive? What steps are taken to ensure that their performance a month or so later, when it still really matters, is comparable?
My interest stems from a personal view that the real test of a quality driver is how they perform when asked to provide a demonstration without warning, in somebody else's car, in difficult weather, on unfamiliar roads, preferably abroad.
WilliBetz
I've been pondering one aspect of the article, as it relates to the examination of traffic officers...
R_U_LOCAL said:
By far the most difficult task for an instructor is getting students ready for test. It goes without saying that driving tests of any description, by their very nature, are stressful events. Imagine, however, the additional stress on a students shoulders if that test meant the difference between getting their dream specialist role, or going back to their old job. That's why, on the lead-up to test day, the instructors role changes from teacher to psychoanalyst/coach/ego-booster/confidence builder/mind-reader and all-round shoulder to cry on.
With this level of coaching and preparation, akin to an athlete preparing for a significant event, will the candidate's performance on test flatter to deceive? What steps are taken to ensure that their performance a month or so later, when it still really matters, is comparable?
My interest stems from a personal view that the real test of a quality driver is how they perform when asked to provide a demonstration without warning, in somebody else's car, in difficult weather, on unfamiliar roads, preferably abroad.
WilliBetz
willibetz said:
With this level of coaching and preparation, akin to an athlete preparing for a significant event, will the candidate's performance on test flatter to deceive? What steps are taken to ensure that their performance a month or so later, when it still really matters, is comparable?
My interest stems from a personal view that the real test of a quality driver is how they perform when asked to provide a demonstration without warning, in somebody else's car, in difficult weather, on unfamiliar roads, preferably abroad.
WilliBetz
My interest stems from a personal view that the real test of a quality driver is how they perform when asked to provide a demonstration without warning, in somebody else's car, in difficult weather, on unfamiliar roads, preferably abroad.
WilliBetz
In all the time I spent instructing, I never once had a student who over-performed on test. They become comfortable with the instructors presence over the duration of the course, and by week 4, a good student should be consistently producing advanced level drives for their instructor.
The added pressure of performing on test day for an examiner of whom they have very little experience, whose only input during the drive is to issue directions and make notes, always has a detrimental effect on a students drive. It's only to be expected really, and the examiners will take it into account when marking. However, that additional pressure is an important part of the test, because if a student can't perform under test conditions without nerves affecting them, how can we trust them in a high performance Police car in a pursuit, or in an un-marked car carrying out surveillence? If they think a driving test is nerve-wracking, wait until they're ground commander in a pursuit for the first time.
An advanced student in my force will be given three final marks for road driving at the end of the course. Two of those are from their two test drives, and the third is a mark from their instructor on their overall performance throughout the course. This is usually a better guage of a drivers genuine ability than their test marks.
vonhosen said:
If important shouldn't the examiner be establishing that in any debrief through questioning, even if the driver doesn't volunteer them?
Absolutely! I made a grade A mistake during my exam but I knew it was noted without either of us saying anything. It was discussed in the debrief.
Interesting article Reg. I was suffering from a real dip in confidence last summer as a result of me over-analizing every drive I made - even a trip to the local shops. Thankfully I spoke with an Observer friend about this and they raised many of the points that you have done. I am a perfectionist by nature. My personal trainer told me a few weeks back that striving for perfection is a fast ticket to the crazy house. He said that one should strive for excellence. That is my new motto 
Excellent article.
I keep a little black book that I write driving mistakes in. You can write a page on every drive - little things that you notice or could do better. Knowing that I'll write it down later lets me forget it more easily in the drive. I like the idea that consistent mistakes are a fault.
I find now that I don't need to write things in the book (I lost it 6 months ago), but the concept that things are going "in the book" helps weed out the errors.
God help me if one of my instructors finds the book...
I keep a little black book that I write driving mistakes in. You can write a page on every drive - little things that you notice or could do better. Knowing that I'll write it down later lets me forget it more easily in the drive. I like the idea that consistent mistakes are a fault.
I find now that I don't need to write things in the book (I lost it 6 months ago), but the concept that things are going "in the book" helps weed out the errors.
God help me if one of my instructors finds the book...
willibetz said:
Thanks for a really excellent article. Definitely resonated with me, and I've recommended it to some people who share our interest.
I've been pondering one aspect of the article, as it relates to the examination of traffic officers...
By far the most difficult task for an instructor is getting students ready for test. It goes without saying that driving tests of any description, by their very nature, are stressful events. Imagine, however, the additional stress on a students shoulders if that test meant the difference between getting their dream specialist role, or going back to their old job. That's why, on the lead-up to test day, the instructors role changes from teacher to psychoanalyst/coach/ego-booster/confidence builder/mind-reader and all-round shoulder to cry on.
With this level of coaching and preparation, akin to an athlete preparing for a significant event, will the candidate's performance on test flatter to deceive? What steps are taken to ensure that their performance a month or so later, when it still really matters, is comparable?
My interest stems from a personal view that the real test of a quality driver is how they perform when asked to provide a demonstration without warning, in somebody else's car, in difficult weather, on unfamiliar roads, preferably abroad.
WilliBetz
I've been pondering one aspect of the article, as it relates to the examination of traffic officers...
R_U_LOCAL said:
By far the most difficult task for an instructor is getting students ready for test. It goes without saying that driving tests of any description, by their very nature, are stressful events. Imagine, however, the additional stress on a students shoulders if that test meant the difference between getting their dream specialist role, or going back to their old job. That's why, on the lead-up to test day, the instructors role changes from teacher to psychoanalyst/coach/ego-booster/confidence builder/mind-reader and all-round shoulder to cry on.
With this level of coaching and preparation, akin to an athlete preparing for a significant event, will the candidate's performance on test flatter to deceive? What steps are taken to ensure that their performance a month or so later, when it still really matters, is comparable?
My interest stems from a personal view that the real test of a quality driver is how they perform when asked to provide a demonstration without warning, in somebody else's car, in difficult weather, on unfamiliar roads, preferably abroad.
WilliBetz
Response students are only on probation having passed their test. A couple of months later they must be observed driving operationally by assessors on two seperate tours of duty in order to be signed off.
As advanced drivers have already gone through this process prior to their advanced course this is not a requirement following an advanced test pass.
As R_U_LOCAL has said, candidates rarely produce anything like their best drives in a final drive, but they've already done the hardest part (certainly with most of my colleagues) by getting past the instructor. If they weren't good enough they wouldn't be getting a final drive. If the instructor doesn't sign them off, they don't get a go at trying for the rubber stamp.
Edited by vonhosen on Thursday 22 February 23:47
EmmaP said:
Interesting article Reg. I was suffering from a real dip in confidence last summer as a result of me over-analizing every drive I made - even a trip to the local shops. Thankfully I spoke with an Observer friend about this and they raised many of the points that you have done. I am a perfectionist by nature. My personal trainer told me a few weeks back that striving for perfection is a fast ticket to the crazy house. He said that one should strive for excellence. That is my new motto
Wise words - I'll try to remember that.
On topic: An excellent series of posts - informative and entertaining. Well written too.
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