These top tips for learning to drive can help you pass your exams with confidence, composure, and a pleasant sense of calm.
When learning to drive, the first step is to check that your eyesight meets the legal minimum standard. You can wear glasses or contact lenses to comply if necessary. A professional test is the only way to make sure you can see properly. Considerations include visual acuity and field of vision. However, you can get an idea of whether your sight is legal without professional help. You must know how to read the license plate of a car manufactured from September 2001, at 20 meters.
Consider whether you want to drive cars that have manual or automatic transmissions. If you pass your road test in a manual, you qualify to drive cars with either transmission. However, if you pass the test in an automatic car, you are only qualified to drive automatics. That could be restrictive and frustrating in the long run. There are far fewer automatics on the road.
Study the Highway Code before your first practical lesson. It contains information you need from the first moment behind the wheel. For example, confirm what the road signs mean.
While a friend can offer to teach you how to drive, professional license plates are also helpful. That’s because a professional knows exactly what it takes to pass in 2022. A friend who qualified years ago might not be so sure, so he may be fooled, even by accident. Today’s requirements differ from those of the past. Choose an instructor who has a lot of experience, a high pass rate, and who is easy to get along with. Once a professional has confirmed what is required today, he can practice through a friend without being tricked.
Before driving, check how the vehicle’s main controls operate. Examples include the parking brake, gauges, windshield wipers, and defogger. You may need such checks at any time. Also, make sure the car seat, door mirrors, and rear view mirror are positioned properly. Also be aware of blind spots.
Practice as much as possible to make it easier to pass the road test. Also make sure that you face numerous different scenarios. Look for them if necessary. Drive along main roads at high speed, urban streets and narrow country lanes. Practice when it’s sunny, rainy, foggy, light and dark. Also drive when the roads are busy and quiet. Confidence and good judgment come from experience.
Much of the same applies to the theory test. Practice helps you pass, so take every opportunity. Practice tests are available online.
The right mindset is a great asset on the road. So stay positive as you learn to drive, even when you make avoidable mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable. Everybody does them. Instead of dwelling on those things, which can be annoying and discouraging, see them as an opportunity to learn and improve. Also, decide from day one to be a safe, calm, responsible and legal driver on every trip. So there will be very little drama, if any.
The right clothing helps keep you safe and comfortable on the road. Loose shoes can fall off your feet, for example. That’s dangerous. A large, thick, uncomfortable coat that restricts their movement can also be problematic. You must be able to turn as needed to see traffic, people, and any other hazards. And of course, wear sunglasses and a hat to reduce glare on sunny days.
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