Things to think about before learning to drive

Learning to drive is probably one of the most useful and important skills most of us learn in life. Millions of people take to the streets with their driving instructors each year, building up their experience so that they can finally pass their test and take to the roads on their own. It involves a good deal of time, effort and money to learn to drive, however, and finding a good instructor is often half the battle.

But before you decide to start learning, here are few things that you need to take into account:

• First and foremost, of course, you need to be over the age of 17 and have a provisional licence. No driving instructor will be able to take you on if you don't have this bit of paperwork sorted out. The good news is that you can apply for your provisional licence online.
• You also need to have decent eyesight; that means you should be able to read a car licence plate that is situated 20 metres away.
• Most people employ a qualified driving instructor to help them to learn to drive. If you are being tutored by a friend or family member, they need to be over the age of 21 and have at least 3 years or more driving experience.
• Any car that you are learning in needs to display clear L plates so that other drivers can see. You should, of course, make sure that the car has a valid MOT and the tax is up to date.

Thinking About Driving

There are numerous qualities you need to bring to the process of driving. This includes being diligent and focused on your lesson, making sure, for example, that you pay attention to the traffic around you and understanding that you have to show patience and be conscious of other road users including pedestrians at all times.

Choosing the Right Driving Instructor

There are plenty of driving instructors to choose from, especially if you live in a big city. It pays to shop around and find one that is best suited to your temperament and needs. A bad instructor can make you lose confidence and give you such a poor experience that it turns you off driving. Remember that you are a consumer and you have a right to change if you are not satisfied.

Driving Instructor

One of the key areas that is going to impact on you is the cost of driving lessons. Only a qualified driving instructor or a trainee driving instructor can charge you for these lessons. If you are not sure about their qualification you can ask to see their Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) badge. This should be clearly displayed in the car.

Cost is a factor that leads many people to get extra lessons from a friend or family member. This is fine as long as they meet the qualification requirements. Using a qualified instructor is, however, the best way to ensure that you get the right training and cover all the points you need to pass your test when the time comes.

Published: February 7, 2021

Author: Bromley Driving School