The Reality of Learning to Drive

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Before anyone makes the decision to learn to drive, please consider the following points…

 

1; You are learning to operate a machine that if used or operated incorrectly, or irresponsibly, can result in serious injury or, even worse, fatality. 

 

2; Your learning process will not be simple, quick or cheap. The co-ordination and spatial awareness takes time to develop - particularly to a point where it becomes second nature. 

 

3; As the driver you are legally responsible for the vehicle, yourself and equally responsible for the safety of others. 

Being a learner driver doesn’t excuse you of these responsibilities - nor does it make you immune from prosecution if laws are broken. 

 

4; The importance of knowing your subject matter should not be underestimated or taken lightly.

The theory test isn’t just an obstacle on the way to your practical test.

Revise thoroughly and aim to pass with the highest score possible.

The more knowledge that you learn and retain can potentially make a massive difference to all round safety. 

 

5: We are all individuals who learn at different rates. 

Friends or family may have reached the standard more quickly, but don’t treat the learning process as a competition. Equally, guard against becoming demoralised if you’re taking longer to learn than you thought. 

Don’t let pride get in the way of safety. 

 

6; Always listen to your Instructor and take on board their advice. 

An Instructor’s advice is more likely to be correct and up to date than that of friends or family - no matter how well meaning. Your Instructor is also the best person to advise you when you’re ready to take a test. 

 

7; When you have passed your test please remember that a test pass means that you’re safe enough to continue learning on your own. It takes years of experience to become a truly good driver, so never assume that you’re the finished article.

We never stop learning, nor should you.

 

Enjoy your journey.

 

Am I ready for my driving test?

 

If you have been learning to drive for a while, it is natural to begin to wonder when you should consider scheduling your first test attempt. Unfortunately, there is very little data to suggest when the perfect time might be – everyone learns at different paces, so the decision is inherently subjective.

It is, however, possible to get an idea of whether you are ready to take your test. If you can answer “yes” to all of the following questions, then the chances are that you’re ready to browse Find Me a Driving Test to find a convenient test date and then anticipate your transition from learner to fully licensed driver…

 

“Have I driven in different weather conditions?”

There’s no predicting what the weather will be like on the day of your test, so practicing driving in different conditions is an important part of the learning process. If you have driven in rain, wind, very bright sunlight, and dark, grey, or poorly-lit conditions, then you should be well prepared to take a test at most points during the year. However, if you are intending to take your test in winter, it’s also beneficial to have driven in icy and snowy conditions too.

 

“Does controlling a car feel natural to me?”

When first learning to drive, the entire process of operating a car can feel a little unnatural and alien. Over time, this feeling should dissipate, as you become more familiar with how the car reacts and what you need to do to operate it.

Essentially, you need to feel at home behind the wheel, to the point where common driving necessities – such as changing gear or switching lanes – feel very natural. If you still feel a little unsure or uncertain, then waiting a little longer for your test may be preferable.

 

“Can I recognise common road signs immediately?”

Being able to recognise road signs and interpret their meaning is an important part of driving, and plays a critical role in the theory test. However, there’s a difference between theoretically knowing what a sign means, and being able to instinctively “read” a sign while driving on the road.

Experienced drivers can interpret a sign without even having to think about the direct meaning; the connection is immediately clear in their mind, which saves important thinking time and allows them instead just to react as instructed. If you can recognise, understand, and act on signs almost instantaneously, then your test is more likely to go well.

 

“Have I completed a full ‘mock test’ with my instructor?”

A mock test is a great way to gain insight into how the test itself will go, and also how you may react under full test conditions. Your instructor can issue the test and take notes as if they were actually testing you for your licence; while the process is not an exact science, it is nevertheless worth doing. It is generally advised that you should “pass” a mock test before moving on to the real test itself.

 

“Does my instructor think I am ready to take my test?”

Your instructor’s feedback will always be valuable when it comes to deciding if you are ready to take your test. While it’s not uncommon for people to feel ready for their test before their instructor agrees, it’s still worth listening to their feedback.

If your instructor indicates that they do not feel that you are ready to take your test, ask them to explain why and what you need to do to change their mind. This should then give you a focus for the remainder of your lessons.

 

“Do I feel confident that I can pass the driving test?”

Finally, perhaps the biggest question mark of all: confidence. Passing a driving test is almost as much about mindset, and the ability to control nerves, as it is about being able to operate a car. After all, you will have demonstrated that you can complete all of the required manoeuvres and control a carwith great accuracy and skill during your lessons – the test just means doing the same things that you have been practicing for a long time. The pressure comes from the conditions, which is why feeling mentally happy and ready to take your test is so very important.

If you strongly believe that you are ready to take your test, and are confident that you will be able to perform under test conditions, then scheduling your test could well be the right choice for you.