What to Expect from Your First Driving Lesson?

Learning how to drive is more of a necessity than a luxury, still, even with so many drivers out there, a lot of people are nervous before their first driving lesson. Sure, the instructor provides a no small amount of comfort but for a lot of first-time drivers, it’s the fear of the unknown that’s the real problem. With that in mind and without further ado, here’s what you can expect from your first driving lesson. Perhaps, in knowing, you will be more relaxed and at ease.

They Will Pick You Up

They will be the ones to pick you up at your first lesson. Seeing as how your driving school is likely to be local, it shouldn’t be a problem for them to pick you up at your designated location. While you can ask them to pick you up after work/school, for your first drive, it might be better for them to just pick you up at home. Nonetheless, this flexibility of starting location is a nice option. First, it allows you to customize your schedule more efficiently. Second, it helps you learn how to drive in more potential locations.

Introduction to the Vehicle

The first thing they should do is introduce you to the vehicle. You should have already taken your driving tests and, if so, you should already know the basic theory. Now, you have to undergo the introduction with the vehicle that you will be driving during your lessons. The most important aspect of this is for them to introduce you to the controls and the dashboard. This is something that they should do before you start the car. Now that this is done, they need to teach you how to set up the car for a new driver…

Setting Up the Car Before the Ignition

Before you set out, it is important that you properly set up the car. The first thing you need to do when you sit behind the wheel is to adjust your seat. Modern seats can be adjusted for height and distance, so you shouldn’t proceed to the next step until you’re 100% comfortable. Next, you need to check and adjust your mirrors. Once this is done, you should strap yourself with a seatbelt and look around. Check your mirrors, check the road, and check your blind spots. Only after you are 100% sure that everything is safe you should get going.

First Drive and The Basics

One of the first things that any good driving instructor should do is start with the basics. In the previous section, we mentioned the vehicle setup. While they can guide you through the majority of the basics verbally, the truth is that you’ll be better off learning some of these things on the run (from your own experience). We’re talking about the steering wheel and pedal commands, stick positions (if you’re driving manual), using turn signals, and staying focused on the road. One of the most important practical issues should be maintaining a considerable distance from other vehicles.

Early Mistakes

The first time you sit behind the wheels you are bound to make some mistakes. This can be quite trivial from not having your seat properly adjusted, to not using your turning mirrors often enough. Then, there are some potentially more dangerous mistakes like not checking blind spots and not using your turn signals. Then, there are some mistakes that may be situational like driving with low tire pressure or not cleaning the windows. Naturally, this is something that the instructor should warn you about. Still, you shouldn’t be too confident.

Instructor Feedback

One of the most important steps during your first driving lesson is feedback from your instructors. While it is true that you want them to be honest, it is also a fact that you’re a beginner driver. So, their expectations bar shouldn’t be that high either. They should also tell you which of the areas you excel at, as well as their prediction and estimate on what you should focus on. Keep in mind that this is their job and that they’ve seen hundreds of new drivers come and go. As such, their words should carry quite a bit of weight. In the end, you might want to give them your own feedback, as well.

In conclusion

In the end, it is vital that you enter your first driving lesson as confidently as possible. Therefore, the preparation before the driving lesson means just as much as your conduct during the lesson itself. A guide like this one can help you understand what’s going to happen, which means that you can rest assured knowing that everything’s going according to the plan. Soon, you will be on your way to take the rest of the lessons, get your license, and hit the road on your own. According to the majority of seasoned drivers, this is where the most important part of your learning process will start.