Learning to drive can be a daunting task, but here at The Lesson Shop we want to make the process as easy as possible. We’ve compiled a quick list of the five main Do’s and Don’ts for when you start learning to drive:
- Do research your driving instructor
- Do shop around
- Do plan your driving lessons
- Do drive in different conditions
- Do extra practice
1. Do Research Your Driving Instructor:
Doing some basic research to find which driving instructor you’ll go with is important. As a minimum we’d recommend finding a teacher that’s ADI qualified (Approved Driving Instructor). All the instructors on our site have been checked against the list of approved instructors by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). Find and compare the best driving instructors near you by clicking the search button at the bottom of this page. You can check your options, find the lesson details and read the different teacher bios to get a feel for their teaching methods. You can find verified reviews from previous students to give the best indication of how other people found the instructor.
2. Do Shop Around:
With lots of instructors to choose from it can be difficult to find the right one. Word of mouth is often the most used source, but we all learn differently, have different budgets and the teaching method that worked for your friend might not work for you. Seeing the latest ratings & reviews of a driving instructor will give you a more comprehensive view on their teaching style, approach and general manner. We recommend you shop around and get an idea of the average cost in your area so you know how to benchmark prices. Going for the cheapest instructor isn’t always the best approach, but there are certainly good prices to be found. Likewise the highest cost might seem overpriced, but typically you get what you pay for so don’t rule out a more expensive lesson until you’ve dug a little deeper. Comparing instructor prices alongside their review is a good approach and why The Lesson Shop is here.
3. Do Plan Ahead:
Before your first lesson you should consider some things in advance. For example, you need to provide your provisional license so your instructor can check you’re allowed to drive. You should make sure you’re wearing sensible shoes, bring water with you and have the correct eyewear so you can drive in relative comfort. Be well rested and ready to concentrate for the entire lesson. Traffic laws and the rules of the road apply to learners too so you can’t drink alcohol & drive, you must wear a seatbelt and you can’t use your phone whilst driving.
You might want to start off with just a few sessions until you’re happy with the driving instructor, then you can think about block booking to save cost and enhance your progression. You can book a number of lessons to lock in a regular lesson slot with your instructor – typically 10 to 20 hours at a time. This is the most cost efficient and effective way of learning and will get you “test ready” much sooner than if you book lessons sporadically. Communicate well with your instructor and give as much notice as possible if you can’t make an agreed lesson time. A good instructor will be happy to rearrange as long as you give them sufficient time.
4. Do Drive in Different Conditions:
When you first start driving, the main focus will be on getting used to some of the basics including how to control the vehicle (steering, clutch, brake, accelerator), the “cockpit drill” (checking doors, seat, steering, seatbelt and mirrors) and how to take driving action through the MSM Routine – Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. Once you’re comfortable and feel ready to progress then it’s recommended to try and drive in different conditions. Consider the following:
- Drive on different roads – You don’t want to just learn on quiet side roads and in empty carparks. Get out onto the busy roads around town, country lanes, dual carriageways and motorways with your instructor. It will get you used to real world driving conditions.
- Drive at different times of the day – If you book the same lesson time then you’ll inevitably find yourself driving in the same settings. Mix in a few evening slots and morning lessons to practice in the dark and different conditions.
- Drive when traffic varies – It can be good practice for your concentration and clutch control to drive on busy roads, but you don’t want to spend the majority of your lesson sat in congestion. Make sure your instructor factors traffic into your route and lesson time.
- Drive in different weather conditions – The weather changes pretty quickly in the UK so you can’t just get behind the wheel when it’s sunny. Think about practicing in heavier rain, snow and even fog if possible. This will be great experience with a qualified professional to help you through it.
- Drive in a different car – If you have the option of practicing in a different car then go for it. All cars are slightly different from the size and power to the blind spots and bite point, so getting extra practice is great, just make sure you follow the rules set out in the next section.
5. Do Extra Practice:
It’s a great idea to get extra driving time under your belt as soon as you feel comfortable. Even as a learner you can practice driving on UK roads without an instructor, provided you’re accompanied by someone that’s over 21 years old with a suitable license they’ve held for 3+ years (make sure they have the right type of license for the vehicle you’re practicing in). You’ll need appropriate insurance, so make sure you have the right cover and display L plates correctly on the front and back of the car.
Now for the things to avoid when you first start learning to drive:
- Don’t worry about mistakes
- Don’t let other drivers stress you out
- Don’t get cocky
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
- Don’t give up
1. Don’t Worry About Mistakes:
You’ll definitely make mistakes whilst learning to drive – it’s completely normal and there’s no expectation for you to master everything on the first day. What’s important is listening to your instructor and progressing with each lesson. The vehicle you learn in will have dual controls meaning the instructor can take over if necessary, so don’t worry about making mistakes – that’s the whole point of learning!
2. Don’t Let Other Drivers Stress You Out:
Other drivers usually have more patience with learners as a common courtesy given we were all learners once, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. On rare occasions you might hear a beep from an impatient driver, but you can’t control what other people on the road do so it’s important to stay focused on driving to the best of your ability. It doesn’t matter if you stall the car or miss a chance to pull out at a junction – what matters is that you learn from your mistakes and stay calm behind the wheel. One mistake could lead to another if you allow someone else’s impatience to impact your actions, so compose yourself if needed and continue driving as usual.
3. Don’t Get Cocky:
Mistakes often happen when people get complacent, so as a new driver don’t get cocky! It’s important to remain focussed when behind the wheel, retain the good habits you’ve been taught, don’t drive if you’re drowsy and don’t drive if something is causing you to be physically, mentally or emotionally distracted.
Whilst you’re learning, you’ve got someone with you that will give the best guidance and support, so make sure you take everything on board. Things can happen very quickly in a car if you make a mistake, so concentration is key and complacency is risky.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions:
If you ask questions a good instructor will be happy to answer them. If you want to cover an additional topic or go back over a certain manoeuvre then the important thing to do is raise it. It can’t harm asking your instructor if there’s anything you can do to improve before being ready to take your test and by asking questions you’ll almost certainly learn faster. A good instructor will guide you… but can’t read your mind.
5. Don’t Give Up:
If you’re struggling, or feel like you’re not making progress… the important thing to remember is that everyone learns at their own pace. If you can afford it, keep trying and maybe consider a different approach. You can try a different driving instructor if things aren’t progressing with the one you’ve been using, or see if a family member will be willing to go out with you (making sure you follow the rules as set out in the “Do Extra Practice” section above).
If you’ve failed your test and feel like quitting, remember that typically less than 50% of people pass first time and over 55% people need between 2-4 attempts. Communicate with your instructor so you’re able to book the test when ready and this will prevent any rushing to cram extra lessons in before the test day.
Now you’ve learned the Dos and Don’ts of driving… use the button below to search for a Driving Instructor near you!