Last Updated on July 9, 2024
Embarking on your first driving lesson can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. The thought of sitting in the driver’s seat and taking control of a car might seem overwhelming. Many new learner drivers can feel this way, especially with the added pressure from friends, colleagues, or even family who may already be experienced drivers. It is perfectly normal to feel apprehensive about this significant milestone.
One of the main concerns for learners is the fear of making mistakes in front of others. It is important to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and your instructor is there to help you learn, not to judge. Peer pressure can add to the stress, but it is crucial to focus on your own progress and not compare yourself to others.
Overcoming The Anxiety of Your First Practical Driving Lesson
If you are about to start your journey to becoming a driver, or if you have your first practical driving lesson scheduled and are feeling anxious, know that you are not alone. Anxiety before a first driving lesson is common, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can ease those nerves and make the experience enjoyable.
In this comprehensive guide, we share our top 10 tips for first driving lesson success. These tips are designed to help you feel more confident and prepared, ensuring that your first driving lesson goes smoothly and sets a positive tone for your learning journey. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to achieving driving freedom and gaining the skills necessary to navigate the roads safely and confidently.
10 Tips for Your First Driving Lesson:
1. Speak to Your Driving Instructor Before You Start
In a previous article, we covered what we believe makes a good driving instructor. In that article, we discussed how customer service is one of the most important factors. Simply speaking to your driving instructor before your first driving lesson will undoubtedly make that first lesson a little less daunting.
If you would prefer not to make a phone call to your driving instructor, often a text or WhatsApp message will do the trick and calm your nerves.
Still, searching for the right driving instructor? Check out our handy Find an Instructor app.
2. Don’t Forget Your Provisional Driving Licence
Whether you’re eager, or anxious, to get behind the wheel and start learning to drive, you must remember to bring your provisional driving licence with you on the day of your first driving lesson.
Your driving instructor will always ask to see your provisional driving licence before you commence your first driving lesson.
If you have any questions about applying for your provisional driving licence, check out our Ultimate Provisional Licence Guide. If you haven’t yet applied for your provisional licence you can do so on the DVLA website.
3. Study The Highway Code
Getting to grips with the basics of the Highway Code is an important step to getting an understanding of the rules of the road. Mentioning some knowledge gained from The Highway Code, such as making sure head restraints are properly adjusted before setting off, may also impress your new driving instructor.
If you start learning the basic rules of the road, then you’ll be much more relaxed and confident ahead of your first driving lesson.
Make sure you get a head start on learning to drive with Collingwood Annual Learner Driver Insurance .
4. Wear Comfortable Clothing
There would be nothing worse than to take your first driving lesson wearing an outfit that isn’t comfortable. For your first driving lesson, you’re going to be sitting still for long periods of time, so we recommend wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothes. Whilst we recommend wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothes, we also strongly recommend you dress accordingly for the weather.
5. Wear Practical Footwear
As well as appropriate clothing, you will need to wear practical footwear. In your first driving lesson you’re going to be getting to grips with using the pedals, including the accelerator, brake and clutch (think A, B, C). Be sure to wear practical flat soles shoes or trainers and try to avoid wearing heels, flip flops, platforms or wedges. Of course, stalling a car in your first driving lesson is common, just try not to let it be because of your shoes.
6. Wear Your Glasses or Contact Lenses if You Need Them
If you normally wear contact lenses or glasses, be sure to wear them in all of your driving lessons. One of the first things your driving instructor will do is test your eyesight with a standard sight test. It’s worth bearing in mind that you will also need to do a driving sight test when taking your practical driving test.
The sight test requires you to read a registration plate from a distance of 20.5 meters, which is around 5 car lengths. If you don’t require glasses and you’re not sure whether your vision would be impaired, getting your eyes tested ahead of your lesson could be a good head start.
7. Turn Up on Time and Well Rested
It might sound obvious, but if you ‘re tired you won’t be able to focus. In fact, driving while tired is dangerous for every driver, from seasoned drivers to those heading out on their first driving lesson. As a new learner driver, you need to make sure you turn up to your lesson well rested to maximise your concentration.
If you aren’t on time, it can negatively impact your lesson in 2 ways. Firstly, your instructor will likely be annoyed, which is going to start the relationship off on the wrong foot. Secondly, it will likely make you anxious and stressed if you’re rushing to get out the door on time.
8. Ask Lots of Questions
Your driving lessons provide an opportunity to ask many questions on your journey to becoming a driver. Remember, no question is a stupid question, and your driving instructor will likely have heard them all.
As discussed earlier, learning The Highway Code is an important element of learning to drive, as is studying for your driving theory test. It is equally important to remember your driving instructor is a professional and should be able to answer any burning questions you have.
9. Relax Before Your Driving Lessons
When you’re learning a new skill, it’s important to remember that you are starting from scratch. Try to relax and don’t be too anxious about your abilities behind the wheel of a car. It is normal to stall a car and you’ll likely make a few novice mistakes during your first driving lessons. Remember, you’re on a journey to becoming a driver and that isn’t going to happen overnight. Some days will be better than others, but your driving instructor will keep you safe, and they’ll go at a pace you feel comfortable learning at.
10. Enjoy Yourself – You’re Actually Learning to Drive!
Learning a new skill, particularly one as empowering and exciting as driving is going to change your life for the better. Don’t forget to have fun while you learn.
Bonus Tip: A great way to start building confidence on the road is to learn with a family member or friend. Our learner driver insurance allows you to learn in your own or another car, has no curfews or black box, and can start from just 72p* a day!
Get a Learner Insurance Quote with Collingwood
*t&cs apply and depend on underwriting criteria.
Conclusion
Your first practical driving lesson is a significant milestone on your road to becoming a confident driver. By preparing in advance, staying calm, and keeping a positive attitude, you can make the most of this important experience. Remember to apply the tips for your first driving lesson, and soon you’ll find yourself mastering the skills needed to navigate the roads safely and confidently.
FAQs
1. How can I calm my nerves before my first driving lesson? Taking deep breaths, speaking with your instructor beforehand, and familiarizing yourself with the basics of driving and the Highway Code can help reduce anxiety. Remember, it’s normal to feel nervous, and your instructor is there to support you.
2. What should I do if I stall the car during my first lesson? Stalling is a common part of learning to drive, especially in manual cars. Do not panic. Your instructor will guide you through the steps to restart the car safely. With practice, stalling will become less frequent.
3. How long should my first driving lesson be? First driving lessons typically last between one to two hours. This duration allows enough time to get comfortable with the car and begin learning basic driving skills without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Is it normal to feel tired after a driving lesson? Yes, driving lessons can be mentally exhausting, especially for beginners. It is important to rest before your lesson and stay hydrated. If you feel overly tired, let your instructor know and take breaks as needed.
5. Can I take my first driving lesson in my own car? While it is possible to learn in your own car with the proper learner driver insurance, it’s usually recommended to start with a driving school’s car. These cars are equipped with dual controls, allowing the instructor to ensure your safety during the lesson.
