People come to me for driving lessons in Mount Barker to learn how to drive. That’s what I do. I train people how to really drive, properly and confidently.

But I often hear the same thing:

“They’re a good driver. They just need help with their parking.”

Sometimes that’s true. All they need is a bit of guidance on slow-speed manoeuvres, reverse parking, and the finer points of control. But more often, this isn’t the case.

Yes, they can steer the car, take a corner, brake, and follow the speed limit. But there is so much more to being a safe, capable driver than just that.

I have a name for people who drive by reacting at the last minute. I call it driving with “crazy eyes.” These drivers leave everything until the final second. Braking, turning, accelerating, making decisions. It’s always a reaction rather than a plan.

They’ll come flying up to an intersection, disc rotors metaphorically glowing hot from a hard stop (said for emphasis, not as fact), only to realise they could have kept going if they had planned their approach better.

Why Take Driving Lessons in Mount Barker?

A good driver plans ahead. They think about their positioning, speed, and timing well before reaching any road hazard. They check their mirrors before braking. They indicate early, not halfway through a turn. They take a steady, intentional approach.

They only stop if they need to. They don’t leave things to chance or the last minute.

They’re also scanning their surroundings constantly. Traffic flow, road conditions, weather, and the behaviour of other motorists all play a part in how they move through a situation safely.

What Is a Road Hazard?

It’s anything that could potentially be dangerous to you or your car.

This includes:

• Intersections
• Stop and Give Way signs
• Crossroads, roundabouts, T junctions
• Lane changes
• Other road users

Mount Barker learner drivers often underestimate how many hazards they face. Good drivers know how to observe, judge, and respond with confidence and control. These are skills I teach in every lesson.

What I Teach in Driving Lessons

When you book driving lessons in Mount Barker with me, you’re not just learning how to park. You’re learning how to drive well for life.

I cover:

• Defensive driving
• Intuitive decision making
• Reading the road conditions
• Position and approach strategies
• The full system of car control
• Driving etiquette and behaviour
• Blind spot awareness and observation
• Protecting the car and the people in it
• Making smart decisions under pressure
• Navigating road hazards safely

Driving should be enjoyable. It can be when you’re in control, prepared, and not second-guessing yourself. It all comes back to good habits and solid training.

Final Word

So when someone tells me they only need help with parking, I’ll always listen. But please forgive me if I sound a little sceptical.

Because driving isn’t just about parking.
It’s about understanding the whole system.