First lesson

Antilles

I have my first ever driving lesson on Thursday and I am quite nervous. I know its not as nerve wracking as the test will be but I'd still like to be prepared. Is there anything I should do/have when I go to my lesson? How can I get the most out of my first lesson? Should I study the theory stuff before I do the lesson?

Thanks!

Random

You should obviously know the rules of the road.

Other than that just relax, listen to the instructor, ask questions about anything you don't understand and most of all - enjoy the new found freedom you'll be feeling after your first lesson.

Personally I'd suggest 2 hours for your first lesson if you haven't booked it already or if you've only booked an hour. This gives you time to get a feel for the car and you may even be driving home!

Permabear

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DriveSkill

The main thing is to try your best to relax and enjoy it. The first lesson will generally just be explaining the car controls and getting moving off and stopping. This will normally be done in a very quiet area with little or no traffic.

Dont be afraid to ask questions and there is no such thing as a stupid question!!! If you dont understand why you are doing something then ask. Remember a driving lesson should be interactive and be adjusted and tailored to your specific requirements and abilities - its your lesson- no two people learn at the same pace and no two lessons are exactly the same.

If there is something in particular that is making you nervous (perhaps other traffic, the car starting to go too fast, afraid of not being able to stop) then tell the instructor and he/she should be able to put your mind at ease. In reality there is very little that can go out of control while in a dual control instructors car - especially on the first lesson - so no need to be nervous. Believe me the instructor will not want his car to hit off anything so will have applied the brake well before that happens

Dont be too concerned about doing any major preparation - the instructor may ask a few questions but its not an exam and if you dont know the answer then they will explain - its not a big deal.

Good luck with it!

Antilles

Thanks guys. I think I will brush up on the rules of the road. I was also thinking about learning the physical actions I need to take to start a car on the internet so I could not waste time with the basics in the first lesson, but that's probably overly ambitious.

Random - I got a gift voucher for 10 one hour lessons, so I'm afraid a longer first lesson is unlikely. I will ask the instructor if I can pay him for an extra hour on Thursday though, thanks.

DriveSkill - do all instructors have to have dual control cars? I'm doing my lessons with ISM. I keep picturing myself sitting in the driver's seat for the first time and plowing the guy's car into a pillar heh.

DriveSkill

Antilles wrote: »

DriveSkill - do all instructors have to have dual control cars?

Yes, at least in 99.9% of the cases

Permabear

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Sunjammer

Good advise there from Donegalfella on top of it if you can get a family member to show you how to find the clutch "biting point" and just practice that in your drive until you get it every time you will get off to a flying start with you instructor and save a lot of valuable time.

If you have a theory test CD keep playing with that, it is a more interesting way to learn the rules of the road.

Just relax you'll be fine

macroman

Just keep calm - the instructor will ask you what level of driving you're at (complete beginner to intermediate). Bring your learners permit (I know plenty of lessons having to be cancelled as people don't bring them), and have a reasonable knowledge of road signs, markings etc.

If you stall don't panic, deep breath, into neutral and start the car again. There are various methods of clutch control - although you will get a feel for it eventually.

DriveSkill

macroman wrote: »

I know plenty of lessons having to be cancelled as people don't bring them

Slightly off topic but are you speaking as an instructor or as a student ? Personally I havent experienced this and I think it would be harsh to cancel a lesson if the student forgot to bring their learner permit - are they still expected to pay or does the instructor lie the loss of the lesson ? Exception of course being the case where you suspect they dont have a permit in the first place!

And before anyone points it out, yes, I am aware that you are required by current legislation to have your license on you while driving. However my approach is to inform the student but at the end of the days it is their own responsibility once they sit in the drivers seat.