Jan
The first lesson
This article explains what to expect on your first driving lesson. You have spent a lot of time researching and choosing a driving school. You want to get the best out of your first lesson.
Don’t expect to come back from your first lesson ready for your test. Do expect to come back from it stressed, confused and slightly hyper.
Things to do before your first driving lesson
- Read up on car controls, moving off and stopping and left turns. There are plenty of good books. You could use one of the two BTECs in learning to drive.
- Make sure you know where both parts of your driving licence are. Your driving instructor will need to see both parts.
- Make sure you have the money to pay for the lesson. Most driving instructors will say no money no lesson
- Find comfortable shoes with a thin sole and a little grip. It will help you feel the pedals
- If you wear glasses make sure that they are clean
The start of the lesson
When your instructor arrives, they will introduce themselves and ask to see your driving licence. They are checking your entitlement to drive. You can expect them to check your eye site. They might ask you to read the number plate of a car.
When you get in the car, check the front windscreen. All official driving instructors will display a pink or green badge in the front windscreen. If you cannot see the badge, ask the driving instructor to show you it. If they cannot show you their badge, they are not a real driving instructor. You should cancel the lesson and tell the DSA.
Once you are in the car your driving instructor will need to ask you three questions. Can they have the money for the lesson? This gets you in the habit of having the money. Where do you want to finish the lesson? You might want to finish at a friends house. Your instructor needs to know so they can plan the drive. Is this time slot going to be Ok for you? They need to plan their workload and keep the space open.
Your instructor will probably drive you to an area where the roads are nice and quiet. It makes the first lesson a lot easier if the roads are quiet.
The lesson
You have arrived at the place where you will start to learn to drive.
Your driving instructor will ask you sit in the driver’s seat. That is all they want you to do. You are about to learn how to set the car up for your use.
The instructor will teach you how to check the doors, seat, steering wheel, seat belt and mirrors. Get into the habit of checking these every time you get into the car.
Once the car is set up for your use the driving instructor needs to explain what each of the car controls do. Some driving instructors may do this as they drive you to the safe area. Either way it is very important that you listen to this part of the lesson.
Make sure that you understand how to use the steering wheel, brake, clutch, gas, signals and parking brake.
Once your driving instructor has explained how to use the car controls they will explain the commands they will give. These are the instructions they will use when you are driving. Cover the… foot over the pedal. More – press it down, less – let it come up.
Its now time to get the car moving. Have fun
