Learning to drive can be a difficult process that not everyone picks up naturally, so we’re here with a few tips for learning how to drive! Make sure that you never give up or lose confidence, as it is a fantastic skill to have, so keep going and you will get there in the end. It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to learning to drive, but we hope that with these tips, we break it down into easier and more manageable chunks. It can seem overwhelming, but once you get started you’ll feel the motivation to keep going and pass your test. Take your time with this and don’t book a test until you feel truly ready, as this is why many people don’t pass the first time around. So, it’s time to find out the best tips for learning to drive so you can become a happy, confident and safe driver for years to come!
Get A Head Start
The first tip we can give you is to get some practice in with a driver with a valid licence who has had their licence for over 3 years and is over 21, before you have your first driving lesson if possible. Ask the driver to drive to a place where you have no risk of coming into contact with other cars, like an empty car park. When you get there, swap seats and just start to get used to the very basic elements of starting the car. You can then gradually get used to steering the car and getting control of the clutch. Just spending some time in the car like this will help you to feel more confident with your instructor, plus it might save you money because you might have otherwise had to spend two or three lessons learning these basics that you could pick up with your provisional licence.
Get A Well Recommended Instructor
Our next tip is to make sure you get a well-recommended instructor. There are plenty of great instructors out there, yet also quite a few who aren’t as good or passionate about the job. So, make sure that you either choose someone who has been recommended by friends or family, or make sure that you read plenty of reviews to find out about other people’s experiences. Learning to drive can cost a lot of money, and you want to make sure that the money you are spending is going to good use. The last thing you want is to have 5 lessons with one driving instructor and then to have to start over. So, take your time finding the right instructor and you will certainly benefit in the future.
Gain Confidence In Busy Areas
Another good tip is to gain confidence in busy areas. Once you are a confident driver and your test is nearing, we would recommend driving into a busier area, like driving into London and going to a Grosvenor Square car park, where you can then practise your parking, too. You could then enjoy some time in London before driving home for more practice. It’s really important that you are a confident driver when you do this to make sure it’s completely safe, but when you go into your test having experienced a busier environment, it will feel so much easier and you’ll have much more confidence.
Always Ask Questions
Last but not least, you should make sure that you always ask questions if you’re unsure about anything, as this is key to helping you become a safe driver. Not only will this help to keep you, your instructor and other drivers safe, but when you ask questions and understand more about why you’re doing something, and not just accept that you’re doing it and not wonder why, then you will become a better driver for it. When you’re learning to drive it’s not just to pass your test, but to become a knowledgeable and safe driver for life, so bear this in mind and make sure you keep asking questions.
For example, if your instructor tells you to go into a lower gear when it’s snowy or icy, don’t just accept it, ask them why. If you’re not sure what a hazard sign means, ask what it is. These small questions and answers all add up to make you a confident and smart driver, so take the time to ask the questions and you will reap the benefits for years to come.