How Spring Weather Affects Learner Drivers: Tips for Both Sunnier & Rainy Days

Last Updated on April 29, 2025

Learning to drive is an important chapter in a lot of people’s lives and for many learner drivers in the UK, spring presents a perfect opportunity to begin or carry out the majority of their lessons. The season brings longer daylight hours, milder temperatures, and often clearer roads following the winter months. Despite this, as any British resident knows, spring weather can be unpredictable. While one day might offer perfect driving conditions, the next might come with rain, fog, or glare from low sun. In this blog, we’ll share our spring driving tips and explore how spring weather affects learner drivers, offering practical advice for navigating learning to drive in spring, whether you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon or navigating April showers. By understanding the challenges and advantages of this mixed-weather season, learner drivers can build confidence and potentially improve their driving skills in a variety of weather conditions.

Is Spring a Good Time to Learn to Drive?

In short, yes, spring is generally a great time to start your driving journey. The roads are no longer icy, and you’re less likely to be dealing with the reduced visibility and hazardous conditions of winter. But spring driving isn’t without its’ challenges. Sudden showers, wet road surfaces, and glare from a lower sun can create additional problems for new and inexperienced drivers.

Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of learning to drive in spring:

Pros	Cons
Longer daylight hours for lessons after school/work	Sudden rain showers and wet roads
Milder temperatures make for a more comfortable experience	Glare from low sun can reduce visibility
Significantly less risk of icy roads or snow compared to winter	Pollen and spring allergies may cause irritation or distraction
Opportunities to learn in mixed weather, building all-round skills	May still encounter foggy mornings or overcast conditions with visibility affected

Our Spring Driving Tips

Learning to Drive in the Sun

As spring rolls in, sunnier days can become more frequent, especially from late March through to May. Learning to drive in the sun can be uplifting, but there are quite specific challenges to keep in mind.

Benefits of Learning to Drive in Sunny Spring Weather

• Improved visibility: Clear skies and dry roads make spotting signs & road markings, hazards, and pedestrians/other road user easier.
• Increased confidence: Pleasant weather can often help learner drivers feel more relaxed and focused during lessons.
• Warmer conditions: Comfortable temperatures make driving less physically and mentally taxing.
• Longer lessons: With daylight extending into the evening, learners have more flexibility to schedule lessons after school or work if they want to avoid driving in the dark.

Challenges of Learning to Drive in the Sun

• Sun glare: A lower spring sun, especially in the mornings or evenings, can cause severe glare which has the potential to obscure road signs, signals, and oncoming vehicles. A pair of sunglasses and using your sun visor can help with this.
• Overconfidence: Learner drivers may feel overconfident in good conditions and underestimate hazards.
• Changing light: Springtime light levels can shift rapidly, so be prepared for sudden cloud cover or brightness changes while driving.

Tip: Always keep your windscreen clean, inside and out. A dirty screen can potentially worsen glare and reduce visibility in direct sunlight.

Learning to Drive in the Rain

While the UK might enjoy a few dry weeks in spring, it’s no surprise that learning to drive in the rain is an inevitable part of this time of the year. Rain presents its own challenges but learning to manage these issues early on can help establish essential skills.

Benefits of Learning to Drive in the Rain

• Familiarisation with diverse road conditions: Most UK drivers regularly face rain, so gaining experience early is valuable.
• Improves hazard awareness: Learners become more aware of safe stopping distances, aquaplaning risks, and appropriate speed.
• Builds confidence: Mastering driving safely in the rain helps learners feel prepared for any weather, not just ideal conditions.

Challenges of Learning to Drive in the Rain

• Reduced visibility: Rain, especially when combined with spray from other vehicles, can make it difficult to see clearly.
• Longer stopping distances: Wet roads require more time and space to stop safely which is essential knowledge and practice for learner drivers getting used to the road.
• Wiper distractions: Using windscreen wipers properly can feel awkward at first and may become a source of distraction, despite being necessary.
• Aquaplaning risks: Large puddles and standing water can lead to aquaplaning if the car is going too fast or the tyres are worn.

Tip: Always reduce your speed in wet weather and avoid driving through large puddles or standing water where possible.

Conclusion

Spring is one of the most rewarding times of year to begin your driving journey. With longer, brighter days and improved conditions compared to winter, learning to drive in spring allows learners to gain valuable skills and build their confidence. However, it’s important to be prepared for both sunny and rainy days, as British spring weather often brings a bit of both.

Whether you’re navigating sun glare or slippery roads, take on board our spring driving tips and ensure that you are practising in a variety of springtime conditions which can help make you a better, safer driver in the long run.

FAQs