Reference points (learner driver)

Reference points are a really useful tool to help you learn to drive.

All it is is finding something for you to see that helps you line the car up.

Looking at the foto on the left (ignoring me taking the foto in the mirror)

This is an example of a parking reference point.

I have parked the car on the side of the road.

Looking out the front windscreen you can see the kirb running down the left hand side of the road, then you cannot see it anymore, it dissapears behind the dashboard. Looking at the point where the kirb seems to cut into the dash it seems about in the middle, just to the left of the drivers wiper blade.

If I then drove to another location and attempted to park if I aimed the car so the kirb looked like it was cutting into the exact same place then I would be again parked at a nice distance from the kirb.

Reference points are also useful for reversing and doing manovers.

Your instructor should help you find the reference points that work for you - as everyone is different heights.

Reference points (instructors)

Reference points are a really useful tool to help your pupil learn to drive.

All it is is finding something for you to see that helps you line the car up.

Looking at the foto on the left (ignoring me taking the foto in the mirror)

This is an example of a parking reference point.

At the begining of your first lesson you will be driving your pupil to a suitable area. Make sure you are parked well and then you will be able to give them a good reference point.

Looking out the front windscreen you can see the kirb running down the left hand side of the road, then you cannot see it anymore, it dissapears behind the dashboard. Looking at the point where the kirb seems to cut into the dash it seems about in the middle, just to the left of the drivers wiper blade.

Then when your pupil is looking to park again if they aim to have the kirb in the same position as they saw it before then the car will be at the same distance from the kirb.

Reference points are also useful for reversing and doing manovers.

It is important that you let the pupil find their own reference points rather than tell them yours as everyone is a different height.

It is also important as an instructor to have reference points from the passinger seat too. This is really helpful in parking to help prevent kirbed tyres, it also means you can prompt the pupil when they are only slightly off position rather than wait till it is too late to correct.

It is really easy to find these reference points, just (when the car is in a safe position) change seats and see what everything looks like from that seat.

Or when you are out with your trainer take the time to really notice good reference points.