Getting About Freely, Going Places Is So Much Fun
The lessons on land plying, civil vehicle, and driver training fall in to four broader categories as mentioned below;
• Light motor vehicle (i.e. private motor car)
• Corporate Heavy Vehicle Licensing
• Motorcycle Licensing
• Public Heavy Vehicle Licensing
However, the Driving Lesson plan looks more generic to all the above four except in the case of Motorcycling license where some of the generic drills such as cockpit drill and reversing is not directly impacted though proportionately there are similarities.Let us study a generic lesson plan that a new driver should undergo.
1. Cockpit drill
2. Checking roadworthiness
3. Moving off and stopping
4. Approaching junctions
5. Merging
6. Meeting traffic
7. Emergency stop
8. Pedestrian crossing
9. Hazard awareness
10. Progress – Main roads
11. Roundabouts
12. Dual carriageways
13. Detours (Turn in the road)
14. Reversing
15. Parallel parking
1. Cockpit drill
Getting used to the habit of (a). Closing the doors securely (b). Adjusting the driver seat to reach out to the pedals and the steering (c). Adjusting the left and right side mirrors including the rear view mirror to provide you with the best view (d). Adjusting the headrest and (e). Securing the seat belt properly.
2. Checking roadworthiness
The trainee should have gone through the vehicle manual before this exercise. Assuming the trainee has gone through the manual, now he/she would be able to locate the engine bonnet and boot opening levers. When the bonnet is opened, the vehicle safety drill should start.
2. (a). Battery – Understand the battery acid levels are as per the technical requirements
2. (b). Engine oil – How to check the engine oil level? Removing the dip stick, cleaning it, reentering, and pulling it out once again to check the engine oil level in the min to max marking.
2. (c). Radiator coolant level – locating the coolant reservoir and identifying the level
2. (d). Power steering fluid – locating the power steering reservoir and identifying the level
2. (e). Brake fluid – locating the brake fluid reservoir and identifying the level
2. (f). Washer reservoir – locating and check the water level
Now close the bonnet securely. Then start checking the tyres for any cuts, bulges. Usually the recommended tyre pressure is indicated on a label as you open the front passenger door. Next open up the boot and see where the spare wheel is located and whether it is appropriately inflated. Then look for the vehicle jack and for the tool kit.
It is also necessary to check whether the signal indicators, head and tail lamps, brake lamps and the wipers are properly functioning. Once this drill is accomplished, get to know your dash board indicators by going through the manufacturer manual or the vehicle manual.
The trainee should also know on which side of the car is fuel tank is located. Usually this is indicated in the dashboard with an arrow to left or to the right.
The rest of the driving lesson from 3-15 is in the hands of the driver instructor. Listen to him carefully. Be an accomplished safe driver.
Is your vehicle roadworthy now? Not yet! Make sure vehicle registration, tax and insurance papers are valid and located in the vehicle? Usually kept in the cubby area. Yes! Now your vehicle is roadworthiness.