There is loads of information to be found on the internet giving you advice about how to go about learning to drive. Many articles will start by telling you that if you’re in your teens, this is probably one of the most stressful things you can do (apart from taking your exams), and this is true. However, the process can be made a whole lot easier if you find the right instructor to help you.
Friends and Relatives
Money is tight for a lot of people right now, and turning to a friend or relative to help you learn to drive might seem like a great way to save the cost of using a properly qualified instructor. However, this might raise your stress levels as well as have the person sat next to you reaching for the blood pressure pills!
You see, driving instructors don’t just go through training so they can learn how to teach you to drive according to current Government regulations, they also learn how to keep their cool. The chances are you won’t have your own car, which means using the car that belongs to the friend or relative that’s agreed to help you.
Whilst their intentions may be well meant, their first thought will be to protect their precious vehicle, and the slightest mistake made by you could result in a lot of waving of arms and general panic. For this reason, it’s a good idea to save up so you can use an instructor.
What to Look For
When you first start your search there are a couple of things to look out for:
- Make sure you use a properly registered company. It’s OK to go with a privately owned firm, but you should make some additional checks.
- Ensure the person who is going to teach you has the proper credentials. This means they should be an Approved Driving Instructor and hold the ADI badge. This qualification is issued by the Driving Standards Agency, so make sure you check this out – it’s VITALLY important.
- Make sure the car you will be learning to drive in is legal and properly insured to protect you should anything go wrong while you’re on the road.
You and Your Driving Instructor
It’s not just about making sure you find a reputable instructor to help you learn to drive so you pass your test with flying colours; it’s also about knowing you can feel comfortable with the person sat next to you in the car.
It won’t hurt to take a lesson or two from a couple of different instructors. You need to make sure you can get on with them. If you’re not comfortable, you won’t take in what’s being relayed to you, and your chances of making dangerous mistakes could be heightened.
Bear in mind how professional your instructor is. Do they smoke when you’re in the vehicle? Are they clear and concise with their instructions? Above all, are they calm and reassuring when you do make a mistake, (in the beginning you will do this).
Taking some (if not all) of the advice above will send you on the first step to gaining your very own full driving licence.
