25/10/2026
With the clocks going back this weekend, many driving instructors will suddenly find themselves delivering more lessons in darkness and for many PDI's it will be an entirely new experience. But teaching in the dark isn’t simply the same lesson with the headlights switched on!
Reduced visibility, increased glare, difficulty judging distances and identifying hazards can all increase the demands on both the pupil and instructor. For inexperienced drivers, familiar roads can suddenly feel very different.
So here are some tips on how we can we maintain Safety, confidence and progress?
1. Review the level of risk
Don’t assume a pupil who drives confidently in daylight will demonstrate the same ability after dark. Consider their experience, current ability and the additional demands of reduced visibility.
2. Adapt the lesson plan
A lesson planned for daylight may no longer be appropriate. Consider the roads, traffic conditions, complexity of junctions and whether the original goals remain realistic.
3. Help pupils recognise the differences
Use effective questions to explore how darkness affects visibility, speed choice, following distances, hazard perception and decision-making. Encourage pupils to identify what they need to do differently.
4. Be prepared to increase support
A pupil who normally drives independently may temporarily need more guidance. Agree what support might be useful and gradually reduce it as their confidence and competence develop.
5. Think about what you can see – and what you can’t!
Pedestrians in dark clothing, cyclists, poorly illuminated junctions and unlit roads all present additional challenges. Encourage pupils to adjust their driving to the distance they can see to be clear.
6. Don’t confuse confidence with competence
Some pupils may become anxious, while others underestimate the additional risks. Use observation, questioning and reflection to establish what they can actually manage safely.
7. Keep the learning moving forward
Driving in darkness presents valuable learning opportunities. Set achievable goals, break complex skills into manageable steps and recognise progress. Don’t simply abandon the lesson objectives because conditions have changed.
Remember… A good driving instructor doesn’t just manage the additional risks of darkness. They help pupils develop the skills to manage those risks themselves.
The goal isn’t simply to get through the lesson safely. It’s to help create a driver who can make safe, independent decisions long after they’ve passed their test.
Let's all keep each other safe this winter.
