6 Things You Wish You Knew When You Were Learning to Drive

The open road can be a daunting place for a learner. This what we wish we knew back when we were getting to grips with driving.

It’s scary and intimidating, but there’s nothing quite like the freedom for driving: being able to go wherever you want, whenever you want, in your own car. No more begging for lifts and planning bus routes or train transfers. Before someone can hit the open road, though, they have to learn how to do so safely—easier said than done. Experienced drivers probably remember how daunting those first steps were; stalling in the road, skirting curbs and feeling the stares of other drivers on their back.

Don’t you wish you could go back and give the L-plate version of yourself a few pointers, to ease their nerves? That’s what we’ll be talking about today; touching on the thing that novices might not consider when eagerly signing up for lessons.  Whether you’re advising a new learner, teaching them yourself or beginning your own driving journey, we’re here to give you some top tips for those who are new behind the wheel.


1. Other drivers are not perfect

Let’s get this out of the way first. Yes, every driver has a license, but that doesn’t mean they always drive at test standard. People make mistakes, misjudge things and – as much as we might not like to admit it – are at the whims of our mood. We have to be constantly vigilant and be ready for when those mistakes happen; you don’t know which driver’s going to be the one that surprises you.

It’s the first thing teachers tell their students: treat everyone else on the roads like they’re idiots. Strong language, I know, but being aware of the potential actions of other drivers a matter of personal safety. You’re never quite sure who’s going to speed away from a junction or turn without checking, so it’s safer to assume anyone can. It can be a little anxiety-inducing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Learning is expensive

Time isn’t the only commitment required for driving. It’s common knowledge that car ownership is expensive, but the cost of lessons can sneak up on people. Before you even get in a car, there’s the provisional license cost (£34 online) and a theory test to book (£23 per attempt). Speaking of tests, the practical one will set you back between £62-£75, depending on the time of day, with 49.6% of people needing more than one.

And then there’s the cost of lessons. Did you know it takes on average about 45 hours to learn to drive a manual car? That’s a lot of lessons, especially at around £30 per hour – an investment of around £1300, in order to get up to test standard. It’s all a daunting amount of money when you do the maths, but it’s all worth it in the end. Just make sure you’re financially stable before you book your first lesson and look out for any bundles or bargains.



3. Be careful who you listen to

It’s always tempting for experienced drivers to offer learners advice about the road and how to drive ‘properly’, and, as learners, you’re eager to learn. Just make sure that advice is the right advice. Drivers often can’t tell their driving quirks from their bad habits, or not realise their way of driving is outdated for the present day test, which, pandemic aside, is constantly evolving.

The instructor’s lessons should always take precedence when you’re out on the road. They know exactly what the DVSA is looking for in drivers, and your aunt’s curb-bumping parking technique won’t be it. That’s not to say everything said is bad driving, but it’s definitely worth passing it by an instructor first. Even if you mention a manoeuvre or rules you’ve not yet encountered, it’s always good to hear the proper way of tackling them ahead of time. Don’t surprise them with a home-learned technique without warning them first—for your ears’ sake!

4. You can just get an automatic license

We can all agree that stalling is the worst when you’re learning. A bad stall on a busy road can be enough to make anxious beginners quit altogether. That pesky clutch adds hours to your education and gives you another thing for your quickly-dwindling attention span to think about. You could sidestep that problem altogether, though…

Did you know that you can learn in an automatic car, take your test in one and still get a license?

Learning in a car with an automatic gearbox streamlines the driving process by letting the car deal with gear changes, leaving you free to focus on the road (it also makes hill starts much easier). An automatic license does mean you won’t be allowed legally to drive a manual vehicle, but that’ll be less of a problem in the future: soon all new cars sold will have automatic gearbox, as a consequence of being hybrid and electric vehicles. There’s already a huge number of them on the roads today, so why not get ahead of the curve and make your life easier at the same time?

You might get a few looks from your friends, family and others who might see automatics as ‘lesser cars’ or say that you’re limiting yourself, but it’s your choice. What matters is your comfort on the road. If you’re confident with a gearstick, then that’s great. Otherwise making the switch might make things both easier and safer for you.
 


5. Don’t be afraid to change instructors

Unlike school, you’re not stuck with your teachers. Driving instructors are known to be an eclectic bunch, with their own teaching style and unique ‘banter’. For many, this will ease the tension of being behind a tonne of metal hurtling at high speeds. For some, though, things don’t quite gel: maybe they’re a little too talkative, or push students into complex situations too soon. The great thing is you can always find a new one, if things aren’t working out.

You need to feel comfortable with your instructor and be able to trust them in any situation. If they’re saying distracting things as you’re trying to focus, it’s going to make life harder for you. It should also go without saying that you shouldn’t stand for an instructor saying offensive things, however stressful things get. Friendly but professional is a good standard to hold them to, if you’re unsure.

That standard should also extend to their teaching technique. You need to be able to understand what they’re teaching you, and make sure they’re moving at a pace that suits you. Some lessons are going to be more stressful than others, but it should only be exactly that – some. Instructors should also listen to their students’ feedback and comments and take them onboard. If you find them ignoring you or disregarding your anxieties, then maybe a change is in order. You should be looking forwards to lessons, excited for more time and practice behind the wheel!

6. Practice makes perfect – even after passing

Much like any skill, driving will take a long time to learn and a lifetime to master-- that’s okay! You’ll still make mistakes and take the wrong lanes – the lessons don’t stop when you get your license. You’ve been prepared for what’s out there on the roads, but to experience by yourself is another thing entirely. You’re never going to experience every possible thing during your lessons, but your instructor can pass on the skills and knowledge that means you can deal with whatever the highway throws at you.

Don’t let the fear of messing up prevent you from enjoying your time driving. Don’t let your newfound freedom go to waste – it would be a shame to be held back by what ‘might’ happen. Just start with small trips on familiar roads, build up your confidence and, before you know it, you’ll be fearlessly zipping up and down the country.

MSG Summary

Once you’ve ditched the L plates we’ll be there. If you’ve worked with the emergency services, you can get a discount on new, used or leased cars with Motor Source Group.

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