The Do’s and Don’ts of Your First Driving Lesson

So you have finally decided to take the leap and start learning how to drive. It’s a big step for anybody, no matter how eager you are to get out on the road, so it is important to prepare yourself properly for your first driving lesson.

To help you along, we have listed just a few of the things you should, and shouldn’t do, both before and during your first driving lesson.

The Do’s

Get The Provisional License – Yes, it should seem obvious, but there are still some learner drivers who rock up to their first driving lessons without their provisional licenses. You will not be allowed to drive a car without one, so make sure you have it in your hands before you book your first lesson.

Wear Comfortable Shoes – It is surprising just how big a role good footwear plays in your driving. Uncomfortable shoes may prevent you from properly feeling the pedals under your feet, meaning you can’t exercise full control of the car. Ideally, you need a pair with fairly thin soles, as this allows you to feel the feedback from the car, especially when using the clutch.

Your Body Clock – What time of the day makes you feel more alert and comfortable? It’s an important question to answer because it is this time of day that is going to work best for you in your driving lessons. If you’re a night owl, find an instructor who provides evening lessons. Morning people will likely have less trouble.

Ask Questions – Your driving instructor is there to help you every step of the way, so take advantage of the time you have with them. Remember that you are paying for the lesson, so you should really look to get your money’s worth. All you need to do is ask questions when you aren’t sure, as this will help you feel more comfortable and also ensure you learn quicker.

The Don’ts

Feel Stressed – Nerves often affect new drivers. It’s completely natural to feel a little bit worried about taking control of a two-ton box of metal on wheels, after all. Just remember that your driving instructor will ensure your safety at all points and will also have control of the vehicle.

Let Mistakes Affect You – You are going to make mistakes, especially during your first driving lesson. It’s part of the learning process. The key is to ensure you don’t let these mistakes affect your driving throughout the lesson. Learn from them and move on to get the most out of the session.

Forget Your Glasses – Your eyes need to be in good working order if you are going to learn how to drive. The test here is to stand about 20 metres away from a parked car and try to read the license plate. If you can’t, you will need glasses when you are on the road, so don’t forget them.

Think You Know It All – You may come into your first driving lesson with a little bit of knowledge. However, no learner knows it all, else they wouldn’t need lessons in the first place. Be open to every piece of instruction you receive and remember that your instructor knows exactly what you need to do to pass your test.