Driving is the skill practically everyone should have in order to be able to function in modern world to the utmost extent, without being dependent on someone considering your mobility. Having to ask your mom, friend, husband/wife, etc. to take you somewhere is just not as convenient as being able to drive on your own. They have their own schedule and things to do, so they won’t be available every time you need to get out of the house. Besides, it just might get a little bit awkward and embarrassing to ask someone to do such a favor.
Ok, you may use public transport or call a taxi. But not everyone has a really extended public transport system where they live or it might just not exist at all over there. Even if you’re lucky enough to be able to use public transport, it has its specific schedule and roots that might not suit you needs. Buses won’t drive you to the doorsteps of the building you have to get to, and you definitely won’t be able to rely on them during the night time. Besides, you can go broke if you constantly use taxis. And, what about long-distance trips, minding pizza runs and holidays?
So, unless you can afford hiring a personal driver and relaxing in the back sit while he drives you anywhere and anytime you need, you’ll have to learn how to drive as soon as you’re legally allowed to. However, most people find it challenging even to book driving lessons, not even saying about passing their tests and starting driving on their own. Lots of anxiety, disbelief, self-consciousness and fear are somehow often in the process. Some people just refuse to get into the driver’s sit and just start a car. They just panic for no particular reason and continue dealing with all the inconvenience arising from their inability to drive. Others are desperate to appear behind the wheel and actually drive without the presence of an experienced person or instructor, but they fail to pass the test over and over again.
Why does that happen? Is there any psychological barrier, simple lack of discipline or the wrong way of learning?
No matter what, you have to figure out the way to get started and learn how to drive to be able to fully enjoy the freedom of movement. And, in my turn, I’ll give you some useful tips to help you out. I believe, you’ll become an awesome and confident driver. Just remember that everyone sat behind the wheel for the first time once.
Pass the written test
It’s a necessary step to get the learner’s license and to be able to practice before taking an actual driving test and receiving a permanent driver’s license if you do a great job.
Of course, you’ll have to do your research and study for this exam. First of all, you’ll have to look through and memorize the rules given in the manual. Moreover, visit the site of your state’s DMV to check out the handbook for drivers they provide.
You’ll have to learn all the road signs and other useful information you’re basically going to need when appearing in the car on the roads. Besides, you’re going to confirm your knowledge during both writing and practical tests.
Discover the best way of memorizing those rules. Use visual methods; write down notes, etc. if that might help your brain soak up the information better and faster. Take preliminary sample tests before the real one. You may find those online, on the DMV’s site for instance. Revise everything the night before, have enough sleep and don’t be too nervous. It’s not your finals at school; you’re not entering a university or college. If you fail, you’ll just work on your mistakes and take as many goes as you need until you pass.
During the test, be confident and take your time while reading through the questions carefully and choosing correct answers. Don’t hesitate too much, but also review your answers after you finish the test before handing it over to make sure that you didn’t choose the wrong point by mistake.
Book driving lessons
Find a driving school or just hire an instructor to learn from him, but not your friends or relatives. First of all, it’s better to learn with someone, who’s not only capable of driving, but also knows how to teach people to drive, what are the most common mistakes they make being a new driver and how to avoid them. Besides, it’s a totally new level of commitment.
If you pay for those lessons and schedule them for certain days and times, it’s unlikely that you’ll skip them just because you don’t feel like driving today or have something else to do. On the contrary, if you ask your family member or a friend to teach you how to drive, you’re going to be more relaxed and less concentrated on the process and it will be easier for you to miss or postpone lessons.
So, it actually takes less time to learn to drive with an instructor, and you’ll gain better skills. If you like the idea, you may find a driving instructor or school in your local area online, on HireRush.com. We’ve gathered ads of different schools and professionals with the list of services they provide, along with the prices they tend to charge. Just call a given number and get to work!
Practice, practice and practice to drive!
Don’t be limited by driving lessons only. First of all, you have to spend a certain amount of hours behind the car’s wheel to be allowed to take the practical part of the test. That is usually provided by instructors, who conduct just enough lessons with you to ensure that you reach that minimal number. But, the more you drive with different passengers, the more experience you obtain and the more confident you become. You learn how to drive in various weather conditions, you figure out how to cope with certain situations not from books, but in real life. You just develop a habit.
The only thing you have to make sure is that you always drive with an experienced licensed driver, whose presence will be your legal ground for the drive with learner’s permission.
Don’t learn for the test only
There are different tips and tricks your driving instructor will be able to share with you to assist you to go through the practical part successfully. But, you shouldn’t concentrate on those things only. As long as you have a professional driver by your side, you should learn from him as much as you can, ask any questions to obtain skills not just for the test passing, but for safe driving afterwards.
Practice with different obstacles (like radio or music turned on), challenge yourself with more and more difficulties (like reversing, parallel parking, etc.).
Know your basics: checking mirrors, looking over the shoulder, turning the turn signals on and off, putting the car on the handbrake and taking the keys out have to become your inner habits. Besides, learn how to fill your car with petrol and change the oil.
Accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes
You’re still learning. Yes, people might beep at you, you will probably take ages to park and you won’t move too fast in the beginning. But don’t be embarrassed about that. It’s just a phase you have to go through. Don’t be sorry about the already committed mistakes, be happy that they’re in the past and try not to repeat them again. Don’t let one moment or a single error influence your desire and determination to drive.
His Majesty the Driving Test. Ta-da-da-da!!!
Prepare your sole, mind and your car. Make sure to collect all necessary documents to be able to go through the procedure and receive a certificate in the end. Don’t forget to put on your glasses or contact lenses to be able to see perfectly. Otherwise, you won’t be even permitted to take a test.
Examine your car’s tires, lights and windshield wipers. Adjust the mirrors to your personal needs, as inspector will take that into account as well. Don’t start the car before the examiner gives you brief introductions to the test, particular instructions and asks you to start. They have to check this skill as well.
While taking the test, don’t think about the inspector’s or instructor’s presence all the time. Just think of him as of an ordinary passenger not to be too nervous and concentrate on completely unnecessary things instead of driving decently. However, you should follow his instructions accurately, so pay attention to what he’s saying.
Don’t forget to check your back mirror when showing your reversing skills. Take road signs and lines into consideration, especially those lines that indicate full stops. Don’t forget to use the signals when necessary and to check other cars and pedestrians when performing parallel parking. And, remember about the blind spots and mirrors.
Don’t stop learning after you receive your license, as you won’t automatically turn into an experienced and confident driver just because of holding it in your arms.
I really like your advice to practice driving. To me, the best way to improve your driving is to just keep practicing. If you do that, you will become more accustomed to riding in vehicles and likely get better at it. Do you have any other tips about learning how to drive a car? For example, are there any particular kinds of cars that you would recommend driving over others?
Johnny, practice makes perfect indeed. Answering your question about certain types of cars, the ones that have built-in backup cameras and 360 degrees surround camera view are way easier and safer to control than others. They make parallel parking unbelievably easy as well.