It’s about getting them comfortable with how their car works, sounds and feels, so that can know when something doesn’t seem normal.

Here is a quick check that you can teach your kids (and do yourself too) to make sure that they get more confident behind the wheel.

1. Pop the bonnet and have a look around. See where everything is and identify keys parts

2. Check the oil. Grab a cloth, remove and clean the dipstick and then check to see you have enough oil

3. Top up the oil if its running low

4. Check to see how the coolant level is. Find the radiator and follow the tube from the radiator cap until you find the coolant reservoir

5. Top up coolant level if necessary

6. Have a quick check of the battery. Connection points clean? If it’s a self maintain battery check to see if it needs a top up of distilled water

A quick check once a month will get your p plater feeling more confident.

We often teach car care to school groups, especially yr 11 and 12 students. Do you think car care should be taught in school?
Does your school teach any car care? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Reversing Around Children

Reversing your car in general is one of the hardest skills to master as a learner driver.

It is something that we even find our more experienced drivers find difficult and something we cover in our defensive driving courses.

Reversing when there are children around is even more nerve raking, so we have put together some tips to make sure the little ones are safe and the driver feels more confident and comfortable to reverse.

1. Make car safety the most important element of driving. When kids are in the car, supervise them entering and exiting the car

2. Make sure an adult ensures each child is put into the child restraint and checks that the seatbelt is on correctly. Putting on a seatbelt is not a ‘milestone’ in a child’s life – do not put the responsibility of a child’s safety in their own hands. That way you know the child is definitely in the car.

3. Have children listen for the ‘click’ when a the seatbelt is clicked in – it gets them thinking about safety

4. Before you run out the door, no matter how rushed, make sure you are holding children’s hands – it’s hard at times, especially going to school and work – but always put children in the car first and then pack bags

5. If you’re on your own in the car, have a quick look around the car before driving off, especially reversing – don’t just rely on the camera in the car

6. Account for all children before driving off. Can you see them? Teach children where to stand so that you can always see them before you drive off

7. Teach children at a young age to not just listen for cars, but to look as well. Teach them that the white lights on the rear of a car means the car is reversing

8. Before you turn the key and start driving, take 30 seconds to prepare your trip. Where are you going, which way will you use to get there and where are the children?

9. Remember 30 seconds late is not a big sacrifice to help keep you and your family safe

10. Always have a ‘safe spot’ where children can stand and wave goodbye to visitors. It gets children used to always standing in the same area and creates better visibility for the driver

As a parent it is hard to know which avenue to take when the issue of speeding comes up.

How do you ensure that you’re L Plater and P Plater is safe behind the wheel, adhering to the speed limit and driving with confidence and a good attitude?

A new phone app has been launched. ‘The Speed Notifier’ app is designed to use a GPS system and both the drivers and parents phone to both record and alert parents when their P Plater has gone over the area’s designated speed limit.

Would you use such an app? 

Do you think that it will help reduce speed on the road or just break parent/teenager trust?

We would like to see more education around the effect of speeding, car handling and understanding how a car does and does not perform at differing speeds under different circumstances.

Here are our top tips on helping to create a bond of trust between you and your P Plate driver.

Lead by example

• Your kids watch you driving from a young age. They have years of experience by watching how you handle different situations. Ensure that you stick to speed limits and drive at a sensible speed.

Practise in different environments

• Young drivers need experience in all different situations, environments and road and weather conditions. Morning, night, wet and dry roads all affect speed and how their car will perform.

Emergency techniques

• Does your P Plater know how to handle an emergency situation?
• Have they applied ABS and do they know what will happen when they do?
• Have they felt the combination of speed and wet roads?
• We recommend the safest environment for this is in our defensive driving courses. It is the safest and most controlled environment to experience these differing conditions and the perfect way for you and you P plater to practise your skills together.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the new app – would you use it?

Preparing to Pass Your Driving Test can be daunting.  These tips make it easier!  

This is the third tip in our Series where we Explore 7 Ways to Pass Your Driving Test and how to stop stressing out!  

As discussed in our earlier posts in this series, STRESSING OUT is one of the major reasons  students fail their driving test!

We don’t want that happening to you which is why our Instructors on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and in Brisbane are sharing some awesome tips for reducing stress and increasing your chances of passing your test. This is Tip 3 in our series. You can read the 1st tip in the series by clicking here and the 2nd tip in the series by clicking here.

Tip No 3: Keep it Positive (Steer Clear of the Horror Stories)

Talk to others that passed their test and had good experiences, by all means – find out what worked!

But there is one thing we do recommend you do….steer clear of mates who want to tell you horror stories about their test!

Visualise and focus on passing YOUR test – this is your driving test and not theirs. Focus on the end result of passing your test. 

It’s amazing the difference a little positive thinking and visualisation can make to a happy ending at your test appointment!

Check out the other tips in this series!  

How to Pass Your Driving Test – Overcome Your Nerves & Take Your Time 

How to Pass Your Driving Test – It’s All About Timing

When is your ideal time of day to take a driving test?  Is there a time when you are more alert, comfortable and have more energy?  Do you have any other tips for passing your test? 

Preparing to Pass Your Driving Test can take a little planning…and timing. 

This is the second tip in our Series where we Explore 7 Ways to Pass Your Driving Test and how to stop stressing out!  

As discussed in our 1st Post in this series, STRESSING OUT is one of the major reasons why students fail their driving test!

We don’t want that happening to you which is why our Instructors on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and in Brisbane are sharing some awesome tips for reducing stress and increasing your chances of passing your test. This is Tip 2 in our series. You can read the 1st tip in the series by clicking here.

Tip No 3: The Time of Day Matters 

Schedule your driving test for a time and at a place that suits YOU.

Think about the time of day that you are the most alert and where you are most comfortable.

Start thinking now (before you book your test) about the times and days that you are less likely to have interruptions to your day. Plan to get off on the right foot with a “good day”, not a disastrous one before your test!.

Also think about when you are alert, and when you are not distracted.

By scheduling your test to suit YOU then you are off to a good start with regards to being within your comfort zone and at your most alert for the test!

Want more tips?  Check out these other tips in this series:

How to Pass Your Driving Test – Overcome Your Nerves & Take Your Time 

How to Pass Your Driving Test – Keep It Positive

What about you – are you still waiting to do your test?  If you have passed your test, what helped you to pass?  

If you want Pass Your Driving Test You Need to Overcome Your Nerves.  

In this series we Explore 7 Ways to Pass Your Driving Test and how to stop stressing out!  

Did you know that STRESSING OUT is one of the major reasons why students fail their driving test?

We don’t want that happening to you.  But in reality, no matter how well prepared they are, nearly all drivers experience some form of anxiety or anticipation before their test!

Our instructors on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and in Brisbane shared some awesome tips for reducing stress and increasing your chances of passing your test.  We have compiled them into 7 tip posts which we will be sharing here on our blog.

But what if I am stressed?

The important thing to remember is that this is NATURAL. Even if you are normally quite a CHILLED OUT person, there are some great tips you can use to help you combat any nerves that you may experience on test day.

So where do you start? Part of the trick to combating nerves is to acknowledge them and understand why they are there…then addressing them using some simple strategies.

You have “done the time”, you have done the classes, you have picked up some great skills, you have had some great driving lessons, you are feeling confident, it’s time to NAIL your Driving Test.

A Quality Driving School should be able to provide the following, so check with them before you commence lessons!

• Option of either manual or automatic driving lessons
• Flexible driver lesson times
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service
• Modern dual control cars
• Fully accredited driving instructors
• A choice of male and female driving instructors
• Mock driving test exams available to help individuals prepare for their Queensland Transport Q-safe Assessment
• A choice of numerous driving school locations around your area
• The number of Government approved logbook hours (for example, students doing lessons on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or Brisbane receive 30 Government-approved hours in their logbook when they do 10 hours of driving lessons with Coastwide Driving School)

These are just some of the questions to ask your driving school when choosing an instructor!  Do you have any others to suggest?  What helped you choose your school or driving instructor?  

They also advise at least having 1 or 2 lessons before you take your test – ie start and end as you intend to finish!

We asked our Gold Coast Based Coastwide Driving School Instructors to give their best tips – Here are some of their great tips for getting comfortable and making the most out of your lesson.

• Try and get familiar with a vehicle itself. Most first-time drivers have been backseat passengers for greatest part of their travelling years – so taking a seat in a driver’s seat whilst stationary and exploring what is in front of you is a good place to start. And of course your driving instructor will cover this at the start of your lessons.
• Always remember comfort….in clothing! Being comfortable is key – don’t turn up to your lesson in a high designer outfit and heels…just think of it as – dress code: casual with suitable footwear. If you are comfortable in your style – you will feel a whole lot better sitting in the driving seat during your instructions.
• Be on time! Remember – you are paying for this lesson – and there are bookings made before and after you….so it is important that you receive the full attention of the time scheduled! When you are calm, on time and focussed –the lesson will be enjoyable for both instructor and student.
• Schedule your lessons for when you are feeling fresh, relaxed and willing to give it a red hot go! Maybe you are morning person…or maybe not – however achieving 8 hours of sleep the night before a lesson will start you off fresh….food for thought! And speaking of food – have something light to eat and drink – being preoccupied by a rumbly belly will not help your focus!
• Practice, practice, practice! If you have a willing adult who is qualified to take you on drives in between lessons, this makes the paid lessons all the more worthwhile! Our instructors are here to plug in the driving practical theory that you need to know. By practicing and becoming smoother at your craft – the paid instruction will be of more value to the student.

• Enjoy the driving lesson – feel comfortable with your driving instructor – be open, honest and ask as many questions as you need to get the job done right! Listen to what the instructor has to say – you are paying for great knowledge – so pay attention! Remind yourself that you are not going to get everything the first go.
• Treat the lesson as an opportunity to gain as much advice as you can to drive safely on our roads.

Want to get started? Take advantage of our Special Offer running currently (3 lessons for just $105), which includes the Keys to Drive Lesson as well as 2 additional lessons. This involves an intro lesson with you, your instructor and a parent/supervisor who comes along to find out more about driving lessons. You get your initial hour of training in the best ways to practice and gain confidence in preparing for Safe P Plate Driving and your Supervisor/Parent “comes away with tools and ideas for how to help you achieve a good foundation for lifelong safe driving”. This does not just apply to our Gold Coast Driving School Instructors at Coastwide, but also to all other areas such as Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Have you started lessons yet? What is your best tip for getting the most out of your driving lessons?

Operations Manager, Edward Chivers was pleased to announce that the popular Brisbane Defensive Driving Course was an expansion from the Sunshine Coast to now being held at Mount Cotton Training Centre (South east of Brisbane – Just 40mins Nth of the Gold Coast).  Now more accessible to Gold Coast and Brisbane residents, the program is already booked up on some weekend dates and spaces filling fast on others.

“Our Brisbane Defensive Driving Course has been carefully designed to provide ‘real world’ practical driving skills and the general knowledge you can intuitively apply each day to keep you safe”, Edward said “Our course caters for everyone from experienced drivers to teens. We even get a lot of interest from people like police recruits who need to have a defensive driving course completed”.

Courses will continue to run at Stockland Park (Kawana) on the Sunshine Coast, but now more areas (and more drivers) will have access to this popular program.

The course is comprised of a half day theory session (conducted in a classroom) and a half day practical session. Students are required to use their own vehicle for emergency braking and hazard avoidance exercises – so far rated as some of the best parts of the course!

If you want to take advantage of the Christmas Promotion at 50% off the regular price click below!

50% off Full Day Defensive Driving Course. Gift Certificates Available (limited time)

Hear what some parents are saying about the Coastwide Defensive Driving Course:

• “It should be compulsory for all learner drivers”
• “Both my kids did this course. They thought it was well worth doing”
• “Wish a defensive driving course was mandatory before obtaining P Plates or at the very least before full license is issued…no matter your age”
• “We all (all ages) need this. DO IT”.

For more information and to book – visit this page on our website.

Overview

Our Defensive Driving Program has been carefully designed to provide ‘real world’ practical driving skills and the general knowledge you can intuitively apply each day to keep you safe. The course will comprise of a half day theory session (conducted in a classroom) and a half day practical session in your own vehicle which includes emergency braking and hazard avoidance exercises.

Gift Certificates Now Available!Key points covered in our Defensive Driving Program include:

• Identify the “cause” & “responsibility” of crashes and how to avoid them.
• Learn about your vehicle and the basic physics of driving.
• Discover the importance of correct seating and steering techniques.
• Develop an awareness of how both driver & vehicle react in emergency situations.
• Learn a basic system of vehicle control, why skids occur and how to prevent them.
• Become more responsible for your attitude towards dealing with our roads safely.

NOTE: Succesful completion of this course and all assessment items will entitle the driver to a nationally recognised statement of attainment for unit TLIC3607 Apply Safe Driving Behaviour. Please note that there is a $50 admin fee for the issue of this qualification (if it is required).

^Note: Total Value of package is calculated as the full value of the defensive driving course ($299) plus the lessons ($60 ea) *Note: The intro pack contains one Keys to Drive Lesson (Where Eligible) funded by the Australian Government under the Keys to Drive Program

A payment plan of $30pw (Six months/26 weeks) is available for our STD 10 lesson pack. For more information please visit; http://www.coastwidedriving.com.au/25pw-lesson-payment-plan-ten-hours-of-structured-lessons-to-gain-30-log-book-hours/

General Details

• Our Gold Coast Defensive Driving Program will be conducted at Mount Cotton Training Centre (Mt Cotton Road, Cornubia).
• Please arrive by 8.45am for a 9 am start, the course will finish at 4.30pm.
• Personalised Gift Certificates are available and valid for six months.
• Course must be paid for in full before course can be attended. Please call our office on 07 5353 7171 to arrange payment.
• Any date changes to a booking within 7 days will incur a $50 re-booking fee.
• Cancellations / no-shows on the day will forfeit their course voucher without refund.
• Should course attendees hold a learners permit they will require a suitable ‘driving supervisor’ to accompany them for the afternoon practical training exercise (no fee). Supervisors have the opportunity to attend the full day course at the discounted price of just $75.
• Note: two paying drivers (e.g. friends booking together) can share one car on the day if required.

Defensive Driving Course Dates

Please contact the Coastwide team to confirm the availability of these courses, as they may already be filled.

Sunday, May 26 – Mt Cotton, Brisbane
Saturday, Jun 15 – Mt Cotton, Brisbane
Sunday, Jun 16 – Mt Cotton, Brisbane
Saturday, Jul 6 – Mt Cotton, Brisbane
Saturday, Jul 27 – Mt Cotton, Brisbane

Gift Certificates Now Available!