The Art of Confident Driving

Listener Advisory: This episode contains brief siren sound effects. If you’re listening while driving, please be aware; there may not be an emergency vehicle near you. But as Instructor Liz says: be aware of your surroundings! Emergency Vehicles and Driving Decisions: Insights from a Paramedic. Navigating around emergency vehicles can be one of the most stressful moments for any driver — especially new ones. In this episode, Instructor Liz explores how to respond safely and legally when sirens sound and flashing lights appear, offering calm clarity in what can feel like chaos. Joining the discussion is Zoe, an experienced paramedic who has worked in both Australia and the UK. She shares on-the-ground insights from life in emergency response, highlighting common driving errors and the impact they can have during high-stakes situations. This episode is a must listen to for new and experienced drivers alike! Topics Covered: Key road rules for responding to emergency vehicles in Australia Driver behaviour through the lens of a paramedic The differences between emergency responses in the UK and Australia How calm, confident choices can make all the difference Instructor Liz’s full lessons and instructional videos are available here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/

Failed your driving test? You aren’t the only one. You didn’t get through. Your palms were sweaty, your indicators were… occasional, and your confidence is in a crumpled heap on the floor of the car. Whether you missed a mirror check, mounted a curb, or just forgot to check you speed —this is your second-chance starter pack.  Instructor Liz will talk you through what went wrong and how to fix the mistakes, so you don’t have the same problem on the next test. Real tips. Real talk. From the instructor who’s seen it all and solved it. Listen to this episode to turn that fail frown upside-down! Full driving lessons and instructional videos exclusive to subscribers here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/

Bonus Lesson: Hook Turns with Courtenay Rufus from CRUDE driving. In this bonus lesson, we’re tackling one of Melbourne’s most unique driving manouvers—the hook turn. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why right turns happen from the left lane, this episode will provide the clarity you need. Courtenay from CRUDE Driving joins Instructor Liz to break down this distinctive rule, ensuring you’re ready to navigate Melbourne’s streets with confidence. See more of Courtenay here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRUDEUltimateDrivingEducation/ Website: https://www.crudedriving.com.au/education http://YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CRUDEDriving Instructor Liz’s full driving lessons and instructional videos are available here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/ www.youtube.com/@learntodrivewithLiz

Tailgating is one of the biggest complaints about other drivers! Many people do it or are victims of it. Tailgating is also one of the main causes of crashes in the world today. Are you guilty of it? In this episode, Instructor Liz will explain why other drivers tailgate and what to do do prevent it. Picture credit: TMR Qld Instructor Liz’s full driving lessons and videos are available here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/      

Navigating through adverse weather conditions can be challenging! Cyclone Alfred put South East Queensland on high alert and left many of us feeling anxious. In this episode, Instructor Liz will share her insights and recommendations for driving in poor weather, as well as the types of driving conditions you might face. Full driving lesson episodes and instructional videos are accessible here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/    

Tyre/tire care or as Instructor Liz says, “Don’t drive on anything that isn’t road!” In this episode, Instructor Liz explains what you should do to get the most value for money out of your tyres, as well as how to avoid costly repairs! As the photo shows, discarded coach screws left on the roads can certainly do major damage. Full driving lessons and instructional videos from a professional instructor of 27 years available here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/

Driving Test Tips 2. Instructor Liz gives more of her advice to make passing the practical driving test first go, much more likely! Her structured lessons have ensured that her pass rate has not fallen under 95% (first attempt) in the last 10 years, so by listening to this episode, you will understand why her students pass the test easily and confidently. For full Instructor Liz’s full driving lessons, click here: https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/  

Instructor Sonia joins Liz this week to talk about her experience as a parent teaching 2 of her children, then as an instructor teaching her other 2 kids! Both instructors talk about the more common mistakes parents/carers and supervising drivers make. This is a must listen episode for all parents new to supervising a learner driver. https://www.facebook.com/drivewithsonia  https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/

Season 3. Welcome to season 3, where Instructor Liz graduates to her P2 podcast licence! It’s been an exciting couple of seasons in 1 and 2, with the bulk of Liz’s driving lessons being available to subscribers, this season, Liz will be interviewing some educational and fun guests as well as completing her Learn to Drive podcast programme. Join her in this season opening for a couple of stories where we find out that too big of an ego makes for poor driving educators! Full driving lessons are available on apple podcast or https://theartofconfidentdriving.com/ which include instructional videos.

Merging onto motorways can give even experienced drivers the jitters. Key tips include the vital 'Keep Left' rule, staying aware of varying driver skills, and ensuring safety by not cutting off trucks. A friendly courtesy wave when someone lets you in can brighten your drive! Learning to manage blind spots and making early decisions about your lane can drastically improve your merging experience. Remember, patience and clear communication are essential for everyone’s safety on the road!