What to Expect in Driving Lessons
Nervous about taking driving lessons? You needn't be, as long as you use an Approved Driving Instructor registered with the Driving Standards Agency.
He or she will have passed the agency's three stringent qualifying tests in driving theory and ability, and instructional ability, as well as having a criminal record check.
Getting Started The first time you sit in the driving seat, the instructor will take you through the controls and you won't move the car for about half an hour, by which time you will have a true grasp of what you need to do with your feet, hands and eyes.
This will be your opportunity to ask about anything that is bothering you, or that you are unsure of.
The final part of the first lesson is when you will start to practise checking mirrors, engaging the gears and steering away slowly and smoothly, before pulling back into the kerbside.
It takes time to be able to coordinate all your movements and achieve this, but most people manage it in about half an hour and can continue with confidence.
Moving On Each lesson after that will be planned to cover all driving manoeuvres, one by one, and the plans will be adapted so that you can learn at your own speed.
You will master each element before moving on to something else.
The three teaching techniques of explanation and discussion, guided demonstration and practice, will be followed consecutively, so that you understand and recognise what to do before practising it.
The instructor will select routes that will reinforce earlier learning with more practice and introduce something new when appropriate.
For example, the early routes might include left turns, then right, then T junctions.
Later you will meet pedestrian crossings, dual carriageways, roundabouts, and so on, but only after these elements have been explained and demonstrated.
Progressing to the Test Your driving instructor will keep detailed records of your achievements, updated after each lesson, so that you can discuss it and both recognise when you are ready to take that all important driving test with confidence.
He or she will have passed the agency's three stringent qualifying tests in driving theory and ability, and instructional ability, as well as having a criminal record check.
Getting Started The first time you sit in the driving seat, the instructor will take you through the controls and you won't move the car for about half an hour, by which time you will have a true grasp of what you need to do with your feet, hands and eyes.
This will be your opportunity to ask about anything that is bothering you, or that you are unsure of.
The final part of the first lesson is when you will start to practise checking mirrors, engaging the gears and steering away slowly and smoothly, before pulling back into the kerbside.
It takes time to be able to coordinate all your movements and achieve this, but most people manage it in about half an hour and can continue with confidence.
Moving On Each lesson after that will be planned to cover all driving manoeuvres, one by one, and the plans will be adapted so that you can learn at your own speed.
You will master each element before moving on to something else.
The three teaching techniques of explanation and discussion, guided demonstration and practice, will be followed consecutively, so that you understand and recognise what to do before practising it.
The instructor will select routes that will reinforce earlier learning with more practice and introduce something new when appropriate.
For example, the early routes might include left turns, then right, then T junctions.
Later you will meet pedestrian crossings, dual carriageways, roundabouts, and so on, but only after these elements have been explained and demonstrated.
Progressing to the Test Your driving instructor will keep detailed records of your achievements, updated after each lesson, so that you can discuss it and both recognise when you are ready to take that all important driving test with confidence.
