05
First 5 minutes
Plan one skill
- Choose one priority from the current lesson or report
- Match the route and conditions to current ability
- Agree on what prompts may be used
Support-driver coaching in Pukekohe
Turn private practice into calm, useful progress.
The 30-minute Support Driver Alignment Session gives the student and their primary support driver one shared approach for practice between professional lessons.
Who it is for
One student. One support driver. One shared plan.
This session is for the parent, caregiver, whānau member or other trusted adult who does most of the student’s supervised practice. Alistair, the student and that primary support driver attend together.
It is most useful immediately after the student’s initial assessment or first lesson, while the priorities are clear. If the student is tired, it can be held separately within the next 48 hours.
Plan. Practise. Reflect.
A simple 30-minute practice drive.
The guide gives private practice a repeatable rhythm: one skill, one short practice block and one clear next step.
20
Next 20 minutes
Practise with the least help
- Wait and observe before speaking
- Ask, then cue only when it helps
- Give a direct instruction when safety requires it
05
Final 5 minutes
Reflect and reset
- Let the learner speak first
- Recognise what became more consistent
- Choose one clear focus for the next drive
Follow their pathway
Your contribution changes as the learner develops.
Early learners need clear guidance and simple environments. As competence grows, the support driver should gradually step back so the student can scan, plan and decide independently.
- 01Comfort and control
Create short, low-pressure opportunities to repeat the basics.
- 02Core road skills
Reinforce the routines and language used in lessons.
- 03Broader experience
Introduce variety gradually, matching the route to current ability.
- 04Independent thinking
Reduce prompts and ask the learner to explain what they noticed.
- 05Next-stage readiness
Use the CDS report to target gaps rather than guessing.
Reduce mixed messages
Small changes can make practice calmer and more productive.
AvoidTry instead
Giving several instructions at once
Use one short prompt, then allow time to respond
Correcting every small mistake
Keep the drive focused on the agreed priorities
Comparing progress with another learner
Measure progress against their previous drive
Continuing a tense disagreement
Pause safely, reset and discuss it after the drive
The 30-minute session
Align the people around the learner.
This is a focused discussion, not another driving lesson. Alistair translates what he observed into a practical approach the student and support driver can use straight away.
The session is included in Road Ready. It can also be booked for $40 directly after a separate assessment or lesson.
Support Driver Alignment Session
30 minutes · $40
- 0–5 minutes: role, safety and supervision responsibilities
- 5–10 minutes: the student’s current priorities
- 10–18 minutes: calm communication and the prompting ladder
- 18–25 minutes: plan the student’s next three drives
- 25–30 minutes: questions and a shared agreement
You leave with the CDS Support Driver Guide and a student-specific “Next Three Drives” plan.
Start a support-driver enquiryWhat happens afterwards
Keep the next few drives specific.
Each “Next Three Drives” plan focuses on one or two repeated behaviours and suitable practice conditions. In Road Ready, lesson snapshots can refresh those priorities as the student develops.
With the student’s consent and Alistair’s approval, the support driver may also observe part of a later professional lesson from the rear seat.
See how support-driver coaching fits Road ReadySupport them with confidence
Get everyone working from the same plan.
Enquire about the 30-minute session after an assessment or lesson, or ask whether Road Ready is the better fit.