Learning to Drive: What You need to Know

Planning on learning to drive? Being able to drive can be completely life-changing no matter what age you learn at as it can provide an enormous sense of freedom and independence and open up an entirely new world. It can also be daunting, which is why it is helpful to break it down into key stages.

Applying for a Provisional License

The very first step to take – and one that is nice and easy – is applying for a provisional driving license. This can be done online and is a legal requirement for anyone that wants to learn how to drive.

Lessons & Practice

Once you have a provisional, you will then want to book into lessons and find an instructor that you are comfortable with. You can also practice driving with anyone that is over 21 and has had a full driving license for 3 years.

Theory Test

When you are ready, the theory test will be the next stage. This involves a multiple choice and hazard perception test that you must pass before moving onto the practical driving test. You can prepare for this with books, software, and practice tests.

Practical Test

Once your instructor says that you are ready, you can then book your practical test. The practical driving test involves an eyesight test, safety questions, and around 40 minutes of driving, including independent driving. You will pass your test if you make no more than 15 driving faults (known as minors) or no serious or dangerous faults (majors).

Buying a Used Car

You will also want to take the time to find the right car for your needs and budget. Generally, new drivers opt for a used car as you can get more for your money and use it as a vehicle to build your confidence. You can get great deals in the used car market and buy Michelin tyres to improve tyre quality as this can be an issue with used cars.

Insurance

You will need to have an insurance policy in place before you start driving and this can be expensive for new drivers. There are ways to lower your insurance and it is always a good idea to shop around to find the best deal.

Building Confidence

It is then a case of building confidence, which comes with practice. It can feel strange to drive unsupervised at first, but spending time behind the wheel will help you to quickly feel more confident and comfortable while driving.

Hopefully, this post will be useful and help anyone learning to drive or thinking about learning during their journey. Learning to drive is life-changing, but it can also be a stressful and daunting process to go through and you need to be well-prepared.