Ready to hit the road and crack on with your driving lessons? Before you get going and get behind the wheel, check out our top tips.
1. Make sure that you can see where you’re going
Let’s start off with some of the basics. Of course, you’re going to need to be able to see when you behind the wheel, that’s why your instructor will check that you have satisfactory eyesight. As part of your lessons, your instructor will ask you to read a number plate from at least 20 metres away.
2. Shop around for an instructor
Choosing the right instructor can be difficult and could be the key to just how quickly it takes for you to learn. Don’t just go for the first instructor that you see, it may take some digging to find the best instructor for you. Ring around and get some prices, see how experienced they are and what their reviews are like. Word of mouth from people that you know can also be quite useful in finding yourself a good instructor.
3. Buy your own car to practice in
If you’ve got the money too, we’d definitely recommend getting yourself a cheap little run around so that you can practice in. Practising in between lessons can really help push you along and could be the difference in how quickly it takes for you to pass your test. Of course, you must be accompanied by somebody over the age of 21 and who has had a full driving licence for at least three years.
4. Study the theory from the start
As a learner driver, you must be able to pass your theory test before you are able to even think about passing your actual driving test. Your instructor should point you in the right direction of some great theory learning resources, once you understand some of the basics of driving. There are also plenty of additional materials out there too that you can access and you can even have a practise theory test, which is based on the real thing.
5. Learn from your mistakes
We all make mistakes but the key thing is that we learn from them. So whether you stall the car or get a manoeuvre slightly wrong, that’s ok. Remember to just stay calm and don’t feel embarrassed or worry about what other drivers might think. Just like you, they were once in your exact position so should fully be able to empathise with you.
6. Persevere
Don’t expect to pass your test the first time, or to only have a couple of lessons. For some, it can take numerous attempts, and for others, they just instantly get the hang of it. So if you fail once, or maybe even a few times, don’t beat yourself up about it.
Learn from it and take any feedback on board. Don’t dwell on it as it could affect how you perform going forward.
7. It’s all about the mirrors
Your mirrors are the key when your driving. Your mirrors should be set so that they require a minimal amount of head movement, yet they should provide the maximum amount of cover. It’s all about knocking your head out to the side just ever so slightly so that you can see everything that’s going on around you.
8. Practice, practice and practice
By doing extra practice in between your lessons, you really will progress and it will be a massive advantage for you. You’ll be able to go over anything that you’re not quite sure about and tidy up on any of your manoeuvres.
Obviously, you’ll need to take into account who, where, when and all that lot when your practising to make sure that you’re doing it safely and by the books.
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