This paper presents some findings from two surveys carried out at the Transport Research Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Transport. One of the surveys was designed to find out how drivers learned to drive ( the 'cohort study'); the other was a survey of Approved Driving Instructors. The paper focuses on aspects of the surveys common to both in order to give a picture of driver training from the point of view of both the trainee driver and the instructor. Aspects covered include a) amount of professional tuition, b) amount of practice, c) pass rates, d) age and sex of driver, e) teaching methods, f) age and experience of instructor, g) opinion of the driving test and h) competence at driving. The key findings are listed. These include a) the variability of individual requirements, b) a high usage of visual aids which could be built upon, c) the value of practice with friends and relatives and d) a need to develop the learner's cognitive skills and social attitudes.
Abstract