A Cup of Coffee and Nerves of Steel: Take Our Quiz to See If Teaching Driver's Ed is for You

Published: February 08, 2025

Author: Carla Morris

Shortly after Diane turned 15 and secured her learner's permit, her older brother Craig tossed her the car keys and said, “Let’s go. I need to drop a letter off at the post office.”

That toss set into motion a weekly routine of driving lessons that tested her resolve to learn something difficult and new, and proved his mettle as a teacher. Diane recalls:

I started fast and stopped abruptly on that first outing and subsequent outings. Poor Craig, though calm in tone, wore passenger anxiety all over his face.

Then one Friday evening he arrived for my lesson, holding half a cup of coffee. With a guarded smile, he set the coffee on the dashboard and said, “There.”

And I knew he meant, “There, you have to anticipate your stops so that the coffee doesn’t spill, mess your clothes, ruin the upholstery, and force an explanation to Dad. There, you need greater awareness of your surroundings and their potential impact on you and your passenger. There, own the outcome.”

And I did. The coffee didn’t spill. We made it safely home. Craig pronounced the session “good.”

Relaxed Learning

Teaching someone to drive is like teaching them to tame a lion. Under your guidance, they learn to approach and disarm an intimidating beast. Are you up to the task of showing them how? Take our quiz and find out.

• Do you enjoy figuring out how people work? Teaching a new driver means learning about that person and figuring out how to set that driver at ease. This understanding can contribute to a rewarding experience for both of you.

• Do you enjoy engaging with many different people? Different people have different learning styles. As teacher, you must accommodate those differences and adjust accordingly.

• Do people perceive you as friendly and easy going? The more relaxed you are, the easier it becomes for your student drivers to learn.

• Do you empathize with others? Can you set aside your knowledge, experiences, and skills momentarily to understand driving challenges from the new driver’s perspective?

• Do you exercise self-control and patience? New drivers make mistakes; it’s part of the learning process. Your calm eases the pain.

• Do you respond to mistakes with an explanation? One trainee gratefully recalled his instructor taking the post-error debrief further by having the trainee supply the analysis. After each mistake, the teacher calmly asked, “What did you do wrong?” The student supplied the answer.

• Are you hyper-observant? Learning to drive involves dozens of details that overwhelm new drivers. As their guide, you will instruct and explain at appropriate moments, yet not in ways that distract them. You will anticipate hazards and guide the driver’s response.

• Do you communicate clearly and concisely? Beginning drivers count on you to help them navigate this challenging new world. They need your constructive feedback delivered with confidence.

• Can you respond quickly? Some situations require your rapid response and quick judgment.

• Do you set a good example by being a good driver? Effective teachers lead by example.

The Other Guy

Inevitably, driving is about control, control of oneself and control of a vehicle. Your excellent teaching and your student’s ability to keep that cup of coffee upright on the dashboard only go so far. Factors you can’t control figure into the mix.

One seasoned driver says this advice from her driving instructor has saved her from accidents over the years: “Always assume the other driver will do the stupidest thing possible.”

Another driver adds this: “Accidents can find you, even if you’re stopped at a draw-bridge waiting for it to open, believe me.”

Learn about Greenville University’s new summer endorsement program for teaching driver’s education. If you already hold a teaching license, you can earn the credits you need for State of Illinois certification in just one summer. All online coursework. Space is limited. Register today!