For anyone turning 17, we all know what’s on their mind! Like any other milestone, learning to drive perfectly and efficiently and getting behind the wheel are usually the most important ones we look forward to reaching. As beginners, learning to drive perfectly is a rite of passage, and nothing can beat the rush of being qualified to drive like an adult for the first time. It is one of the best accomplishments for beginners, and the freedom and independence are simply incomparable. If you pass your driver’s test without being nervous, you will join the 45 million drivers on UK roads. But to get there, you must first get your driving licence after passing the requirements.
Tips to Learn to Drive Quickly
Usually, in the excitement of getting our hands on the licence, we may overlook some of the complexities of how to learn to drive quickly and easily. The first and most important step towards that is learning how to drive without getting nervous.
However, many teenagers quickly discover that obtaining a licence takes time, and passing the requirements and following the instructions is no easy task. It is not as simple as putting your foot on the pedal and doing whatever you’ve seen your mum or dad do while they drive you to school or football. It requires learning and relearning. There is a lot more hard work and guidance involved in driving on the highway. As a refresher, some skills and tricks are more challenging to learn than others – but fortunately, with driving, if you have an excellent instructor and receive good driving lessons – consider half the battle won. Taking classes and mastering the basics will definitely make hard work worth it. You can choose classes and take private instructions based on your convenience – could be a crash course or a once-a-week class that gives you time to practise your skills and meet the passing requirements. And with the right approach and mindset, learning to steer your four-wheeler can be a smooth and enjoyable, and not a struggling experience. This post will discuss tips and tricks and the ways to learn to drive well and get confident at it, so you can get on the highway and enjoy the freedom of being in control of the wheels!
Give a Head Start to Yourself
Before you jump the gun and strap yourself in, some formalities need to be addressed, requirements to be met, and instructions should be followed before you can even think about driving as a refresher – you will first need to apply for your provisional driving licence. Booking for a provisional license is essential. You can’t call yourself a learner driver until you have a provisional licence. You can do this any time once you’re over 15 years and nine months old, but it will be valid only when you turn 16. Usually, you can fill out the application online or at your local post office. Once you turn 17, you can begin to learn driving quickly. Although even if you have a provisional licence, you must be accompanied by a driving instructor or someone else who fits the legal criteria when you are at the wheel.
After submitting your application, your provisional licence will take at least two weeks. It is also an excellent time to start looking into driving schools and instructors in your area. The instructors will also help you prepare for your practical tests and become confident to accelerate and use other driving tricks.
Choose the Right Transmission
One of the smart steps to driving is to learn the basics. You have two transmission options when learning how to drive quickly: manual or automatic. It would help if you decided which you would like to opt for when learning to drive. Whatever option you choose should be worth the time and money. When looking for an instructor or a driving school, consider what car they use. Manual cars have a clutch pedal and require the driver to change gears manually, while automatic cars do not have a clutch pedal, and gears change automatically.
While automatic vehicles are easier to drive, legally, you cannot drive a manual if you pass in an automatic. Unless you’ve disabilities that prevent you from driving a manual, a manual licence is a much more flexible option, and you can typically find much cheaper manual cars when you are looking to buy your first own car. Hired cars are often cheaper and more readily available in manual form, so bear that in mind.
Study the Theory From the Start
Everyone, including adults who drive, will give you their two cents about the theory and its test. To pass your driving test, you must prove that you understand the steps behind driving and can do it without being nervous or scared. Contrary to what you may have heard from friends or family, the theory test is not based on common sense. The theory covers a wide range of important topics, from road signs & different types of pedestrian crossings to driving rules to hazard awareness. This means you must work hard to ensure you pass the driving theory test. Whatever happens, in theory, can decide your worth as a driver and determine your fate of getting a licence.
Many resources, including books, apps, personalised instructions, and online courses, are available to help you learn the theory at your own pace. The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) also provides free online theory test practice services and personalised instructions to help you prepare for the actual theory exam so you meet the requirements and ace the difficult questions like a pro. After that, you must pass the practical test to obtain your licence. In short, taking and passing the test with average marks is important for securing your licence.
Take an intensive driving course
No matter what happens, don’t take your driving course lightly. Driving courses are designed to teach both a refresher and a group of beginners the necessary skills for taking and passing the driving test quickly. Different intensive driving courses are available, from an intensive course lasting a few days to weekly lessons lasting several months when selecting a driving school that will provide a structured approach to help you pass the driving test.
If you want to earn the licence as soon as possible, intensive driving courses are the quickest and most efficient way to obtain your licence. Instead of spreading out one-hour lessons over a few months, you can pack many lessons into a crash course or intensive courses of a few weeks. From learning to accelerate to mastering the smart steps for parking, this will prepare you for the test quickly and help you remember important information for the big day.
Look for An Experienced Instructor
When learning to drive, having a good instructor can make all the difference. Void random instructors with average scores. An experienced instructor can teach you the skills worth learning for driving easily and safely and ace your test. If you would like to get test-ready and learn new tricks to remember the main driving rules and instructions, look for private driving instructors who are fully qualified and will provide you with a structured approach to get you through the driving test as a refresher or beginner.
Practice in Between Lessons
If you are struggling to meet the requirements, give more time to practice. As the adage goes, practice does make one perfect. Learning to drive usually requires a lot of practice, and the more time you spend behind the wheel, the more confident you will become. If possible, arrange for someone to accompany you while practising your instructors’ lessons. This will boost your confidence and reinforce your ability to drive without feeling nervous. However, you must remember that only licensed drivers are allowed to accompany learners. Practising in quiet areas with little traffic, such as car parks or quiet suburban streets, is a good idea. You can tackle busier areas and more demanding situations like an adult driver as you gain more control over the vehicle and your skills. Even though you want to be the fastest driver, restrict yourself from crossing the speed limit. Stay within the average speed limit and learn to accelerate without causing any danger.
Learn From Your Common Mistakes
We know that making mistakes is an inevitable part of the learning process, even when you are learning to drive. Learning without mistakes is impossible. Even adult drivers made their share of mistakes. You must learn from your mistakes and apply your learning to improve your driving on the road and highway. For instance, if you struggle with reversing around a corner or have no idea about how to accelerate, practise it more frequently until you are confident in doing it correctly. Instead of focusing on becoming the fastest driver, get the basics right so driving will no longer seem difficult.
Perseverance
At times for beginners, learning to drive can be an exhilarating and frustrating experience, and it is easy to get disheartened. When it comes to mastering any skill or driving tricks, perseverance is the key. Continue to put into practice what you private driving instructor has been teaching you at driving school, and you should be set. If you find yourself struggling to follow the driving instructions, communicate about it. Instead of panicking and deciding that driving on the highway isn’t your cup of tea, you should heed your instructor’s advice and persevere to see what happens. Look at any misjudgement as a test to make you become a better driver upon learning from it. And most of all, remember to stay calm in all situations. Don’t be nervous about the basics at any cost.
Judging Speed
When you start automatic driving lessons with a private instructor at a driving school, they will initially prompt you on the speed to maintain. However, as you progress, you will have to start deciding what speed to maintain and judge the speed of the other vehicles on the road. Learning about different speed limits and accordingly adjusting your speed is also essential. And it would help if you never forgot that driving too slow can be as hazardous as moving fast, especially if you are on the highway.
Getting Comfortable With Your Car
As much as being a smart and safe driver is essential, it’s even more important to be comfortable behind the steering wheel. Be patient when learning to drive a car, and be confident as you gain more experience behind the wheel. You cannot become as skilled as an adult driver – it will take time. All learner drivers should familiarise themselves with the location of the ABCs – the accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals whilst manoeuvring the steering and the gear stick so they can accelerate or hit the brake when needed without getting confused. Feeling comfortable in your car will make it easier for you to focus on the road, and you can drive easily while abiding by the driving rules. It is also wise to inquire about learner driver insurance and get quotes from different providers.
Getting Extra Practice From Your Parents
Try and rope in your parents or other adult family members to join you on informal drives where you can practise the skills your instructor has taught you. It will increase your confidence behind the wheel and help reinforce your abilities. Remember that only some people can take you out for these practice lessons – the other person must be over 21 and have held a licence for over three years. Strictly avoid the highway for practicing. Such a level of driving requires months of practice, learning, and relearning.
Get to Know The Test Route Well
For beginners, we can’t stress the importance of learning to drive in the area around your test centres enough. If your driving school doesn’t cover the area, ask an adult family member to accompany you for a test lesson. First, choose a test centre close to where you live; if you’re learning with a local ADI, they’ll help you get used to the area’s most challenging road types and features. Finally, when you take the practical driving test, you’ll know the area like the back of your hand.
Relax and Stay Calm while Driving
Driving can be stressful, difficult, and overwhelming to some extent, especially when you pass the test that determines whether you will get a driving licence by the end of it or not. Hence, it is important to remain calm and focus on what you have learned during the driving lesson at the driving school. Just focus on remembering the basics and following the instructions – that would be enough for passing.
Speed up learning to drive with Just Pass
Take the stress out of driving classes! The best way to learn the basics of driving is through a planned and systematic approach, which a driving school offers. If you are wondering how to learn to drive quickly in the UK, contact us for private lessons worth every buck. Let our experienced local instructor at Just Pass give you the confidence to hit the pedals. Learning to operate and drive a car will boost your confidence and ensure you drive confidently so you can get your license and practice to become the fastest driver in the family.
Enrol with Just Pass today for the best quality driving lessons in various locations across the UK, and we will make you a safer and more dependable driver and help you pass your test.