10 Essential Tips for Beginners

TIP 1 -  Go easy on your self

Plucking up the courage to learn to drive can be quite daunting. Be patient and don't expect it happen over-night, it takes time and practice to get to the required standard to pass the practical driving test and more importantly, to learn safe driving skills for life, so don't expect too much from yourself too quickly.

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TIP 2 - Give yourself a head start

Spend some time with a friend or relative who already drives a car, ask them to show you the interior of their car, and explain the basics to you, like what the foot pedals are, how they work and what the hand controls do and how they work. They don't even need to start the engine, but this knowledge will give you a head start for your first lesson.

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TIP 3 - Block book your lessons

Once you have booked your lessons with Simon or Laney, it is worth thinking about block booking 10 hours of lessons. Learning to drive takes many hours with a Professional Driving Instructor (around 45-55 hrs) and, on average an additional 20-25 hrs private practice so it definitely is more cost effective to block book your lessons. 

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TIP 4 - Buy your own car to practice in

Buying a used car to practise in between lessons can help you learn and pass your driving test quicker. But it’s important to note that, until you pass your driving test, you must be accompanied by someone over 21 who has had a full driving licence for at least three years. Additionally, it’s crucial you practise in exactly the same way as taught by your instructor to avoid

picking up bad habits.

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TIP 5 - Listen to your instructor

Professional driving instructors know exactly what examiners look for during a practical driving test. Therefore, their advice and methods on aspects such as mirror checks and speed are invaluable.  Even though their advice will likely be different to what you have observed as a passenger from other drivers.

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TIP 6 - Learn from your mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable but you shouldn’t dwell on them. Whether it be stalling the vehicle under pressure or getting a manoeuvre wrong, it is important to remain calm in these situations and not to worry about what other drivers think. Just like you, they have been in exactly the same situation and should fully empathise.

Some mistakes will also go unpunished on driving tests providing you rectify them and react in a safe and proper way. Practise responding in a calm way.

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TIP 7 - Persevere

Don’t beat yourself up if you fail once or even multiple times. Take any feedback on board so you won’t make the same mistake next time.

Also book your next test right away. Leaving it too long between tests may result in you forgetting certain things and end up costing you more money on further lessons and tests.

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TIP 8 - Study the Theory from the start

Learner drivers are unable to take their practical driving test until they have passed their driving theory test. Your instructor can give you access to our Theory Test Pro app and there are plenty of great additional materials you can access whenever you like online.

It won’t hurt to learn the theory from the start in your own time. It can only benefit your road knowledge and chances of passing.

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TIP 9 - Set yourself small challenges

As the weeks go by of your learning journey, try to set yourself small challenges each week to focus on a particular subject that you wish to learn better, and use whatever resources you have available to you to focus on that subject and learn everything there is to know about it. For example, roundabouts and how the work. Try to keep it relevant to your stage of learning, and this focus will embed your learning and knowledge thoroughly for life. Ask your Instructor what they think you should focus on this week.

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TIP 10 - Use what you have learnt after you pass

When you pass your test, the learning continues. You’ll face new situations all the time, such as motorways, city centre driving and tight parking. Therefore, it’s important you do not dismiss all you have learnt and that you approach each new situation with the same careful thinking and execution taught by your instructor.