Using the GDE Matrix as a Teaching Tool

Introduction

While the Goals for Driver Education (GDE) Matrix may initially appear academic, it offers a very practical toolkit for improving the quality and outcomes of your lessons. PDIs and ADIs who embrace its multi-level approach often report deeper learner engagement, improved road safety awareness, and better real-world driving preparation.

Lesson Ideas Using the GDE Matrix

Here’s how each level of the GDE can be integrated into your weekly sessions:

Level 1: Vehicle Control

• Practice gear changes, braking distance, and hill starts.
• Use real-time feedback to help learners assess their clutch control or steering consistency.

Level 2: Traffic Management

• Include busy roundabouts or city centres.
• Use commentary driving to build situational awareness and hazard scanning.

Level 3: Purpose and Planning

• Ask: “Why are you taking this journey?”
• Simulate trip planning: check weather, route options, rest stops.

Level 4: Personal Attitudes and Risk

• Encourage discussion: How do they feel about night driving or peer pressure?
• Use reflective exercises: “What influences your driving mood?”
• Explore how tiredness, stress, or overconfidence can change behaviour.

Sample Instructor Questions or Prompts

Offering conversation starters or reflective questions helps PDIs and ADIs integrate Level 3 and 4 thinking into lessons:

• “Why did you choose that route?”
• “What distractions do you think affect your driving when you’re tired or stressed?”
• “How would your driving change with friends in the car?”

This turns theory into practice and can be embedded into weekly training plans.

Coaching and reflection will help us address the third column.

• What will be your goal now
• What do you see as the current situation
• Which of the different options is going to be best for you
• What’s the best way forward for you

If awareness is what keeps us safe refection is what improves us as drivers.

Reflective logs are very useful, but while recommended not all pupils choose to use them. A simple solution is asking your pupil to write an email to themselves giving the advice a third party that knows them would give to them when they have their best interests at heart..

The pupil has the option of sending to either you or themselves or anyone else for that matter. The important point here is that they are reflecting and doing it in a way that they are comfortable with.

Practical Tools for Instructors

• Lesson Logs: Encourage students to record observations tied to different GDE levels.
• Scenario-Based Discussions: Use role-play or “what-if” questions to build risk awareness.
• Post-Lesson Reviews: Reflect not just on how they drove, but why they made certain choices.

By building in emotional intelligence and risk reflection, PDIs and ADIs can:

• Foster deeper learning and ownership.
• Prepare students for post-test driving challenges.
• Reduce new driver collision risk significantly.

We’d love to hear from you:

How have you introduced GDE concepts into your teaching? Share your tips or join the conversation in the ADINJC FB Group.