driving for the first time?

Question

i'm getting driving lessons for my birthday, got any tips on how to pass 1st time round. i know ppl say confidence is the key. any tips?

Answer 1

Don't be in a rush to pass. ask your instructor to be honest with you, he'll know when you're ready.

Answer 2

Driving is a skill which is improved with practice and work. I take an Advanced Driving re-test every three years (with RoSPA) and this ensures that I continue to drive well. I also help people pass the Advanced Driving test and always advise them to practice frequently.

Confidence only comes with knowing that you can do it, confidence which is "put on" won't help and will probably hinder.

The best tip that I can give you is that you will inevitably make mistakes, possibly even some serious ones. As soon as you've made the mistake, forget it. You can't undo it, and by worrying about it you will make more mistakes. Focus always on the drive ahead, not what has passed.

Oh, and good luck!

Answer 3

Amy,
Just make sure you study up. Yeah I know it's cliche to say that confidence is key, but it really is. If you believe you can do it, and don't get flustered, it will be a cinch. If you can, I would suggest your mom or dad take you to a quiet parking lot somewhere (church parking lots during the week are best) to do a bit of practicing.

Answer 4

just remember procedure...
e.g.

look over left shoulder, left mirror, rear view mirror, right mirror, right shoulder, before letting the handbrake off to pull away...

...remember to keep checking your mirrors and make sure you emphasise this so that the examiner knows that you are checking and you are not just glancing out of the corner of your eye.

if you come to a stop sign, put on handbrake just to emphasise that you have stopped..

it's things like that really that the examiner will notice.. try not to give any reason for the examiner to fail you...

obviously, if the examiner has to use his pedals at any time it is a fail..

stay calm throughout and concetrate on the world around you... I remember I was nervous before hand but once you are driving you just do what you have to do and get on with it..


good luck :)

Answer 5

I taught both of my younger brothers to drive and took them out and let them drive for a few weeks on public roads, in different traffic, different road conditions, i.e. snow, rain, fog, etc. I told them that all they need to do is relax, plan your route, take your time (leave earlier than you need to, ie bad traffic, breaking down etc) practice driving as much as you can, get your parents to take you out and let you drive if you don't have any older brothers or sisters. Both of my brothers liked having me teach them because mom and dad always screamed and yelled at every little thing.

Basically practice driving in all different conditions, different traffic levels, highway, city, freeway driving. Once you get those areas down, then find a dirt road and practice panic stops, recovering from skids, operating the antilock brake system (if your vehicle is equipped).

Answer 6

Try and get as much practice as you can, if you know someone who has had a licence for 3 years get insured on there car and practice as much as you can, ask questions on the rules of the road so the answers can give you more confidence, if you know why your doing things you'll be able to do things easier.

Answer 7

I always had a phobia about driving until I fell pregnant. At three months I started lessons, at 6 months I passed my test first time! So I had 2 huge incentives...1) I couldn't be stuck at home with a baby all day, mostly in case of emergencies and 2) I was so huge at 6 months, I couldn't afford to wait for a resit in case I couldn't fit behind the wheel!

Firstly I had an instructor who I was really confident in (so get good recommendations). He was very relaxed and never ever got annoyed. Secondly, I got myself into the frame of mind that I was just as entitled to be on the road as everyone else...and all other drivers were learners once too (and whenever I was holding traffic up, well tough for them, I was allowed to and they'd just have to wait!). Thirdly, I really listened to my instructor and was never afraid to ask him any questions or say if I disagreed with him! Fourth, I really studied my highway code and practised questions and answers from that so prepare yourself very well for the theory test (get some mock test books, get your family and friends to test you). Fifth, I practised as much as I could with my husband as a passenger even if just around empty car parks etc...which lead to him letting me drive around our locality.

Your instructor if he's honest should be able to tell you if he feels you're ready or not. Listen to him and be guided by him on when he think's you should take the test.

Lastly, the night before the driving test (I hadn't even told anyone I was taking it next day)!!!.....I was so nervous that I stayed up till 1am to complete a jigsaw puzzle! I doing recommend the staying up late, but I do recommend, doing something to take your mind off it but also get to bed in time for a good night's restful sleep. Keep telling yourself that, if you fail, it's not the end of the world and you'll learn from your mistakes first time round and put them to good use next time. Don't punish yourself for failing, just learn from it. AND think now of all the independence you'll have when you pass and can actually drive. My only regret is not having done it years ago ....PS I was 40 when I passed as well as 6mths pregnant!
My husband couldn't believe it that night when, after dinner, I asked him to help me complete some paperwork (it was the form to convert my provisional to full license). It took him about 10 mins to work out what it meant! He was ecstatic of course but was a bit concerned that I hadn't told him beforehand, but understood when I said it wasn't because I was afraid of failing at all, it was purely that I didn't want the added worry of HIM worrying about it whilst he was at work!

So, if I can do it in those circumstances, anyone can....as long as you put the effort in and have the right frame of mind.

Good luck with it and enjoy it....

Answer 8

A good driving instructor will teach you and shouldn't allow you to go in for your test until you are ready for it ignore the ones just trying to get money out of you and try and relax on the day.

Answer 9

"Take your time" let the car drive on its on speed unless otherwise you're slowing the traffic down unless the instructor takes you to free traffic zone area, do one thing at a time and always be aware on all incoming traffic, before the hands and foot moves the eyes to the mirrors 1st ....16 years experience driving in NYC... Go Steelers!

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Take it in your stride, remain calm. Listen to your instructor and remember Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre and you should be just fine!

I failed first time for not using my mirrors enough, but passed the second time with flying colours. If I can do it anyone can!

Good Luck!

Answer 11

Well, confidence is the key to driving right.
So remember not to do too many things together.

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