Your very first driving lesson is a big milestone! It’sthe first step to becoming a safe and independent driver and everything thatmeans for you; whether it’s freedom to spend more time with friends and family,the key to unlocking your dream career, or realising those long-held road tripdreams.
But, as much as you will be brimming with excitementabout the journey ahead, you may also be feeling some nerves and uncertainty –what exactly will the first lesson be like, and is there anything you can do tohelp prepare for the big day?
We’ve put together this quick guide to make sure you get into your instructor’s car feeling cool, calm and collected.
What do I need to do before my lesson?
There are a few things that are necessary before youstart your driving lessons – and if you’re learning with How-2-Drive, we’llhave checked these with you before you are booked in for your first lesson.
Generally, you must be 17 to start lessons and you musthave a provisional driving licence – you can apply for your licence before youturn 17 though, so you can be ready to go as soon as your birthday arrives, ifyou like.
When you book your first lesson with us, we’ll send youan email confirming
- when your lesson will take place, who the instructor is and where they will pick you up from
- details of how you can pay for your first lesson
- instructions on how you can share your driving licence details with us (so we can check you have a valid provisional licence).
Is there anything else I can do to prepare?
Although it’s not a requirement, lots of pupils like toget ahead by using the tutorials in our freelearner driver guide. These are great for using alongside your lessons –both in preparation for new skills you’ll learn and to refresh what you havelearnt after your lessons.
You can start lessons before you’ve passed your theory test, so any preparation for both driving lessons and the theory test will be helpful, starting, for example, with familiarising yourself with the Highway Code.
Remember, learning the laws of the road and memorisingroad signs isn’t just to tick the box of passing the theory test, it’spractical information that you will need to apply when you’re actually on theroad.
What do I need to bring to my lesson?
We ask all our new learners to bring their provisionaldriving licence photo card as well as their driving licence information (whichwe will have given you instructions about in your confirmation email).
You also need to bring your payment for the instructor,as well as anything you’ll need to be able to feel comfortable for the lesson.This includes sensible shoes for driving. You’ll also need to bring yourglasses or wear your contact lenses if you need them to be able to read anumber plate at a distance of 20.5 metres.
Also just bear in mind you are going to be in the car for two hours, which will of course fly by as you’ll be having so much fun. Make sure you’re fed, watered and feeling rested, and definitely not hungover or under the influence of any alcohol or drugs.
What happens in the lesson?
One of the common questions we get is, will I be able todrive the car in my first lesson, and the answer is yes! We’re not like somedriving schools, where instructors keep their pupils parked up at the side ofthe road for the whole first lesson, looking at paper resources. You’re with usto learn to drive, and the best way to do that is to get you behind the wheel.
We’ve heard about instructors offering super cheaplessons to entice learners in, but then trying to recoup some of the cost bynot using any fuel; which is very unfair on the pupil!
Don’t panic though, your instructor won’t expect you tojust jump in and set off down the high street straight away. You’ll be guidedthrough the process at a pace that is comfortable for you, and your firstdriving experience will be away from traffic in a suitable location for gettingto grips with the controls.
Your first lesson will include looking at things like theco*ckpit drill, which covers everything you need to do each time you get in thecar before starting the engine, and practice moving off and stopping. Excitingfor your first time driving!
One thing that will definitely happen when you startdriving is you will stall, probably a lot. But don’t worry, it still happens tothe best of us, even after years of driving. And if you do make mistakes,remember your instructor has dual controls, so they’ll have control of the carshould anything go wrong and they need to step in.
When you start lessons with us, you’ll also be given aLearning to Drive handbook, which will stay with you through your lessons totest day and track your progress.
What if I don’t enjoy the lesson?
Starting anything new can be daunting, maybe even a bitoverwhelming. While many people absolutely love their first lesson and can’twait to keep going, some people inevitably feel a bit wobbly about theexperience.
It’s key to take driving one step at a time. Yourinstructor doesn’t expect you to know everything on day one – just becauseyou’ve spent years as a passenger or even have a great understanding of how acar works, this doesn’t mean you’re expected to just pick it up in no time.
What eventually becomes second nature starts as a seriesof awkward manoeuvres in which you will have to keep reminding yourself whereeach foot and hand should be at any given time, and where your eyes need to bewhile you’re working all that out. And of course different people will strugglewith different parts of driving; there is no ‘normal’ pupil or way to learn.
If you aren’t looking forward to your next lesson andneed a bit of reassurance, don’t be shy about talking to your instructor abouthow you feel. They’re not just there to give you advice on carrying outmanoeuvres, they’re working with you to become an all-round safe driver, whichmeans feeling comfortable and confident whenever you climb in the car.
Next steps
Ready and raring to go with your first driving lesson?You can get thebooking started now or getin touch to find out more. Any questions or worries at all, just let usknow!
Want to give someone else the gift of their first step tofreedom? We have gift vouchersfor their first two-hour lesson, from just £25, or for any value to cover thenumber of lessons you want to give a loved one.
