Whilst the driver only holds a provisional licence, they are not yet qualified to drive. The accompanying driver will always legally be responsible for the way the car is driven.
The dual footbrake is rarely used. Can cause more risk than it saves. If the learner is drifting off course, some steering input is usually better than slowing or stopping. If crossing the centre line, I'd rather we returned to the left, than just slowed in front of a truck - just my choice. Other exciting scenarios are available.
Often when the instructor uses the dual brake, the learner will react and press theirs. Needing to lose 5 mph then becomes an emergency stop, not good in flowing traffic. Sadly, despite displaying L plates, which should be a warning to keep well away, following traffic will get way too close. Not good to test these peoples' reflexes.
Dual brake mostly used at very low speeds, such as to prevent a roll back on a hill start.
This is mostly experienced drivers moving into van driving. Some are experienced with vans, occasionally we get ex HGV drivers. We do get some that have only 3 months in a car, but these tend to be the easiest, as they are paying attention. Experienced van drivers can be terrible, HGV drivers tend to observe and plan well, but can find the smaller vehicle more difficult. Always something to learn.
The van (or company car when used for business journeys) is a workplace, so is covered by Health & Safety laws. Any collision can be investigated like any other workplace accident. Questions will be asked about safety rules, training etc. Just because you passed your test in a small hatchback, several years ago, does not mean it is a good idea to send you out in a van the size of a small planet, into narrow streets and culs-de-sac. (Strange plural, not cul-de-sacs as you'd expect) Much of the training is about planning. Not getting into tight spaces, rather than skills to extract afterwards. Will there be space to turn? Should I park here and walk with the trolley? Where should I park to reduce risk? Planning the escape before choosing the parking place. Etc.
Also need to get them to look up, as height becomes a consideration.
Should you turn off the fridge when approaching horses? If it starts up, noisily above the cab, will the horse react badly? Had one guy refuse to turn it off when approaching a skittish horse, fridge cut in, horse reacted. Got a dent in the side of the van, but thankfully horse and rider both ok.
Don't park on gravel on a steep slope, it might move. (There's a house not too far from here, with a steep drive, deep gravel, then a half metre drop to the lawn. The owners park their cars on a concrete area just inside the gate. Instructions to the delivery driver are to reverse the 400 yds down the narrow lane, past a few other posh houses, and to stop outside the gate. On no account place the van wheels on the gravel. They did lose one. Van just slid gently down the drive, like the gravel was liquid, and dropped onto the lawn. Nearly lost the 8-wheeler crane apparently while recovering it, and cost a lot in landscaping.
