A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I didn't know wether to write on this website or not but I don't know any other, and i'm on here quite a lot and have had some great advice in the past.But anyway I have my first driving lesson tomorrow.. and as i'm not exactly a car whizz, i'm VERY nervous! :| i've only ever driven my mums car around a carpark a couple of times, i seemed to enjoy it, but lessons are totally different, and i don't wanna mess up.I just wondered if there was any advice, or tips or just some support :/ especially off those learning to drive at the minute as i'm probably a nervous wreck at the moment! thankyou! Reply to this Question
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (25 November 2009): If you feel you are being forced to do things that you are not comfortable with then tell him you want to accomplish your goal safely and in lessons that are not so long.
It is good that you are getting a lot of practice with roundabouts as they are so common and busy. I would have expected that your first lesson would have involved small streets with slow traffic where you learn car handling, driving at the speed limit, turns, parking on hills, etc.
I would have expected driving on busy motorways at the end of your driving lessons.
I would also expect a full-time instructor and not a trainee unless the trainee is accompanied by a full-time intructor.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 November 2009): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionthanks for all your sipport and advice :)
i've just finished my first lesson, it was for two hours! my instructor is only a trainee, and i was told that wasn't such a good thing? he didn't really speak to me a lot, i think he expected a little bit too much of me, as at the start he only spoke for about 5-10 minutes max, and the rest of the 2 hours i didn't stop driving, i was going round on an estate which is'nt totally quiet, and i can't even count how many times i went round roundabouts. i don't know if this was too much for me for a first lesson? then i drove all the way back home, on two main roads when it's the national speed limit. i can't figure out if i enjoyed it or not :/ or wether i felt i was pushed too far, or to change instructor?
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (24 November 2009): Always remember that you are driving the car and not the other way around. You must always be in control of the car so that means you must devote 100% of your attention span to know where you are and where your car is at all times.The laws of physics are 100% valid while driving. If you respect them they will respect you. Always be mindful of seat belts and air bags, mirrors, lights, the condition of your vehicle (tires, fuel, visibility) other people, cyclists and cars and trucks.Always drive predictably. Do not do anything erratic. This means always signal and shoulder check before changing your position on the road. If you are unfamiliar with your destination plan ahead and look up your route on Google maps, etc. with the several options available.Do not let anyone in the car allow you to lose your concentration. No one. If need be tell them to be quiet or to leave your vehicle.You must always drive expecting the unexpected. You must always be aware of a safe space around your car that you may need to use to avoid an accident.REALIZE that you must drive looking far up the road and that your car will go to where you are looking. This means that if you want to avoid an accident you must look at the place where there is an out and not at the other car or obstacle. YOUR MIND WILL ALWAYS DRIVE THE CAR TO WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING.Practice in a lot parallel parking. It is simple physics parking a car but students always make it a study in impossibility thinking. There are three basic points to doing it so learn them pat and you will know it.
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A
female
reader, Tisha-1  +, writes (23 November 2009):
 I learned to drive on the right with automatic transmission in my teens, then I learned the standard (stick shift) transmission in my 20s, and then I learned to drive on the left in my 40s. It didn't matter how old I was or how long I had been driving, I still was nervous! And I had to take the test in the UK too when I was 43, and I was so nervous, I felt like I was my 17 year old self again! So you are completely normal, okay?
Don't tense up; you won't be able to turn your head and look in the mirrors or in the blind spot. Remember that slowing down is a good way to let dangers separate themselves; by that I mean young drivers often come into intersections or around bends too fast. Slowing down gives you more chance to react.
Keep that space between you and the car in front of you, as the driving instructor will tell you. "Tires on tarmac"--you should be able to see the tires of the car in front of you resting on the road when you come to a stop behind them. Watch out for "BOBs" as my driving instructor called them: boys on bikes! They nip in and out of lanes and can surprise you.
My absolute top tip for good driving: put the mobile phone away, out of reach so you cannot answer it or read texts. Keep it out of your hands the entire time you are driving. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers!
And don't worry too much, countless drivers have felt as you are feeling right now and they survived. You will too. Tell us when you pass the test!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 November 2009): I've been passed for just over a year now, and this is where I came to ask for help! Here's a fact, you're not going to be perfect. Nobody is, believe me. I remember after every lesson I used to come home shouting 'I've done so bad, I'm giving up' but again I went out on another lesson. All I can say is practice, practice, and more practice. Listen to everything your instructor has to say and do it. Don't puch yourself too far too fast. Your instructor will teach you at a pace which suits you. If you can, go out in your mum's car [with her obviously lol] and again practice. My dad sat in with me inbetween lessons, and his help was invaluable. He always used to say to me 'Your instructor is there to teach you, I'm just here to give you the experience'. Believe me, most of our arguments happened in that car, because I was so impatient! But, I got along with it, and five months after my 17th birthday I passed first time. Again, your not going to be perfect, but all you can do is practice! Be careful of the other drivers out there, and concentrate. Another tip I would give you is to get your theory done A.S.A.P, this is so that if your instructor decides that you are ready to take your test, you can just do it! I hope you have a good lesson tommorrow, most of all make sure you enjoy it. Driving gives you such a sense of freedom. Work hard for your liscence, and when you get it, don't do anything stupid to lose it. Good Luck =] xxxx
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (23 November 2009):
 I can't give you any tips because you drive on the wrong side of the road. That by the way was the real reason we started the revolution.
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female
reader, Blod +, writes (23 November 2009):
 Yay. I'm learning to drive at the moment and I was exactly the same as you before I had my first driving lesson: inexperienced and very nervous.
But I have to say I really enjoyed my first lesson. It went much better than expected and I haven't looked back. I'm hoping to do my test soon.
Just remember that instructors are trained to teach you to drive. If you were a good driver he wouldn't be able to do his job. When you step into the car he doesn't expect you to be able to whiz off down the road without a problem.
Just keep calm, don't panic and relax. You'll have your L plates on so no one expects you to be the perfect driver. If anyone has a problem with your driving, just remember that they were once in your shoes and it's their problem. Not yours!
Your instructor won't make you do anything you feel uncomfortable with and he won't push you to do anything he doesn't think you're capable of doing. He's there to help you and keep you calm.
It'll be good! Good Luck. X
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (23 November 2009): one simple tip. when you put your feet on the peddles place your heals on the floor of the car and work the peddles with your toes and the front part of your sole.i.e dont let your feet hang in the air.good luck
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A
female
reader, celtic_tiger +, writes (23 November 2009):
 Just calm down! :)
Everyone feels the same when they have their first driving lesson. Its perfectly normal! (Unless you are Lewis Hamilton of course and have been driving since you were 2). Just listen to your instructor, if you are unsure ask questions. The first lesson will be about getting you used to sitting in the driving seat (its very odd sitting there and not in the passenger seas) and basic operations. You will not be dashing about anywhere fast! So dont panic :D You will be fine.
Its going to be a challenge, and its going to take time, but like any new skill, the more you practice the easier it gets!
Just go and enjoy it and see it as the first step to becoming independant :D
Good luck!
Tiger
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