How to prepare for your driving lessons

Learning to drive can be a daunting experience for the best of us so here are RED Driving School’s top tips on how to prepare for your first driving lesson and subsequent tuition.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST LESSON 

• Provisional licence – you will need to present both the card and valid licence check code on your first lesson.  If you need to apply for a licence you can pick up an application form from you local post office or you can apply online at http://bit.ly/dsalicenceapplication.
• If you have lost part of your licence you need to replace this; you can do this online, by telephone or by post.
• Financial backing – before starting your lesson you will need to have a plan on how to pay for a full driving course whether this is through savings, work or family.  It does not pay to have lessons and then stop due to no money as it will take you longer to pass your test if you do not have regular lessons.
• Time – ensure you have sufficient time to dedicate to learning to drive – after all it is a new skill that you are acquiring that will require regular practice in order for you to progress.
• We recommend you have one, two hour lesson each week under the supervision of a professional driving instructor.
• Attitude – you need to be confident that you will learn how to drive but have the ability to laugh at yourself if you make mistakes, most of us do.
• Drink – avoid caffeine-based drinks such as tea and coffee before your driving lesson as this accelerates anxiety and you will already be nervous.  It goes without saying that alcohol should be avoided both on the day of your lesson, but also the night before.
• Clothing – make sure that your clothing on your lesson is comfortable; you will be sat in thecar for at least an hour.  Also make sure that you wear suitable shoes that you can feel the pedals through – no walking boots, heels or flip flops.
• Sleep – make sure you have a good night’s sleep the night before your lesson.  You want to make sure you are alert as there will be a lot to take in on your first lesson.
• Be prepared – on the day of your lesson make sure you have both parts of your licence, payment for your lesson and your glasses, if you need them.

BETWEEN YOUR LESSONS

When your driving lesson is over the learning does not have to stop there.  To enhance your learning you could:

• Fill out a learner driver journal or diary – once your lesson is over, fill out the journal with what you have covered in the lesson, what went well and what didn’t.  You can use this to reflect on the lesson and prepare for your next lesson.  If you have someone to practice with between lessons, you can use the journal as a guide on what needs practising.
• Theory and Hazard Perception practice – use the internet and books to revise for your theory test and hazard perception test.  The sooner your theory is passed the better.

Finally, do not forget that if you have any questions about your lessons, your driving ability or anything else then just ask your instructor.