Driving nowadays has become a skill that everyone needs to acquire to fit into the norm. It is something that is absolutely essential to know for emergencies or in situations where there are no other means to commute.
Driving is a dangerous and sensitive task which basically requires a person to be able to handle the machinery. He or she should also have a good estimate of how to operate a vehicle and abide by the rules of the road to not causing problems for anyone around them using the same public roads.
A driving license enables you to lawfully drive on the road. Your driving test is the measure that verifies if you are knowledgeable about the rules of the road and that you can handle a vehicle on a moderate level without hurting anyone around you.
It can be pretty tricky but luckily, there are driving schools that can help you efficiently learn and ace the test that people ever so often fail. Taking driving lessons in Leeds is now very easy as there are companies that give you pick up and drop off from home at cheap prices.
Your first driving lesson is something that you’ll remember for a long time as it is the rush that you feel while operating a bigger vehicle as to what a person may be used to cycling or maybe taking an ATV or quad bike if you were really lucky as a kid. It’s only natural to feel nervous before your first lesson.
Here are things you can expect from your first driving lesson.
- Knowledge Shock
Initially, you might get confused as there are a lot of things your instructor might orally tell you before stepping into the practical part. These are basic rules and instructions to operate a vehicle and are very often things that you already know. Knowing these things is of utmost necessity such as when you drive, stay in the slowest lane. What to do in case of an emergency? Who to call in what case and even what side the blinkers are on and how to operate them?
Good instructors also teach you about other controls such as climate control, wipers, headlights, hazard lights, etc. and then mention other features depending on your vehicles. However, an overview will be given to you about the side-view and rear-view mirrors and how to operate them from within the vehicle. Mirrors are an integral part of driving and should be emphasized initially as it is required in real-world driving alongside the separate checks in your driving test.
You will also be told how often you need to check your blind spot and in what cases. You might also get to know how to start the car, put it into gears and make it move and stop.
- Nervous? It’s Only Natural
Operating a vehicle will be a rush and can be overwhelming at times. It means that you might get the urge to learn it all in one day or completely quitting depending on how well you are doing. It is important to keep in mind that there are stages of learning to drive and driving a car, regardless of its features and specifications, is hard. If you are learning on a manual, you will stall before you get the hang of it. Stalling is annoying and can definitely make you contemplate your decision about driving. It means that there are going to be things such as stalling that are completely normal but can become degrading for any new driver.
- Get to Know Your Vehicle
Don’t think that it is all going to be theoretical in your first lesson, you will be driving around a fair amount. Depending on if you have found a safe area where you can comfortably roam around and have gotten comfortable with the vehicle and doing exceptionally good. You will be instructed to move around even more and you’ll be able to get a feel for the steering and clutch sensitivity along with accompanying elements.
- Get Comfortable
While your first lesson is the most memorable one, it is just the first step to all the ones that follow. Getting comfortable with your instructor and voicing all your questions is important. You need to be in a comfortable outfit and non-slip shoes that you are used to wearing. Driving in the wrong type of shoes is not only dangerous but also is difficult for the student as the paddles are not as grippy when it comes to slippers or even formal shoes.
- The Cockpit Drill
Along with the “Cockpit drill”, there are many things that you’ll get to learn on your first day. But the cockpit drill itself has a number of checks that may look like a lot at first but warning lights and indicators can help identify what things need to be checked before driving. That may include the mirrors, doors, seatbelt, steering position and seat position. All these things need to be checked before leaving the point-zero. Initially, it may sound or look overwhelming but you get used to it over time and by the end of your lessons, it happens subconsciously without you having to go through the checklist.
The Final Word
Learning to drive is often more than just passing your test. It is about becoming a good driver which means responsible driving and holding yourself accountable for the mistakes you make regardless of the fact that someone is watching or that you may be making someone else cautious driving around you.
Driving is not as big of a deal and if everyone is doing it, so can you. This approach is not only confidence provoking but also gives you a rough idea of how easy it is for you to learn and pass your driving test. It is also important to choose a good instructor who can only come from reputable training schools.
