Supervising a learner driver

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check whether a person qualifies to supervise you in your province.
• You can explain where the supervisor must sit.
• You can plan a practice drive that matches your skill level.
• You can describe how a supervisor should give directions.

What you need to know and understand

• The supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat beside the learner.
• Ontario: the supervisor must hold a full Class G (or higher) licence, have at least four years of driving experience, and have a blood alcohol level under 0.05.
• BC: the supervisor must be at least 22, hold a valid Class 1 to 5 licence and not have a zero alcohol or drug restriction on their own licence. Only one passenger besides the supervisor is allowed, unless the others are immediate family.
• Alberta: the supervisor must be over 18 and hold a full Class 5 licence.
• Quebec: the accompanying rider must have held a valid Class 5 licence for at least two years. A probationary licence holder cannot supervise.
• In Ontario, everyone in the car must have a working seatbelt.

Before the first drive

1. Check that you meet your province's supervisor rules.
2. Make sure the car is insured and registered, and that the learner's licence is with them.
3. Agree on simple words for directions, such as 'at the next intersection, turn left'.
4. Start in an empty parking lot to practise moving off, steering and stopping.
5. Move to quiet streets only when the basics are smooth.

Good coaching habits

• Give directions early, not at the last second.
• Stay calm. Raised voices make learners freeze.
• Talk about what you both see: hazards, signs, other drivers.
• Keep phones away. You need to watch the road too.
• Review each drive afterwards: one thing done well, one thing to work on.

Supervisor rules that catch people out

Supervising is not the same as being a passenger. In Ontario, the supervisor's own blood alcohol must be under 0.05, so a drink with dinner may rule you out. In BC, a 21-year-old with a full licence still cannot supervise because the minimum age is 22, and a driver who still has a zero alcohol restriction on their licence cannot supervise either. In Quebec, time on a probationary licence does not count toward the two years.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a supervisor who does not meet the province's age or experience rules.
• Starting in heavy traffic before the learner has mastered basic control.
• Giving directions too late, which causes sudden braking or lane changes.
• Teaching shortcuts that the road test examiner will mark as faults.

Test yourself: Supervising a learner driver

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.