What to expect on your first Driving lesson

It’s a common question that people have, "What exactly happens in your first driving lesson?"

There are myths that you can spend the whole hour stationary and the car doesn't move. But my aim is to
get you driving as quickly as possible on your first lesson without compromising your safety.

It’s normal to feel nervous, but don’t worry – I will do everything I can to put you at ease, and will make sure you are on a quiet bit of road before I ask you to do anything at all!

So here’s what generally happens from beginning to the end of the lesson:-

Introduction and getting comfortable: I aim to create a friendly and relaxed environment to help you feel at ease. I will   ask you some questions to understand your previous experience, if any, and your goals for the lesson.

Quick Question & Answer: I will spend 2-3 minutes asking questions and finding out the your previous experience. Although you may not have driven before, you may have experience with other vehicles such as a cycling, moped, go karting, or practiced with family/friends. Some pupils getting into the car for the first time know absolutely nothing and others have some knowledge. By quickly finding out your prior knowledge at the beginning, I can pitch the level of instruction accordingly.

Drive to site: Depending on where you live, I may have to drive you to a quieter area. It’s important you start in an area free from activity like approaching vehicles and busy junctions. Depending on where you live, this make take up to 5-10 minutes, but I will do what I can to minimise this time, and take you to the nearest suitable place.

Familiarization with the vehicle: I will explain the various controls and features of the car, including the dashboard, pedals, clutch, gears, steering wheel, indicators, and mirrors. I will show you how to adjust the seat and mirrors for optimal visibility and comfort.

Safety briefing: I will provide a safety briefing, emphasizing the importance of wearing seat belts, following traffic rules, and being aware of your surroundings. You will also learn the importance of checking blind spots and using mirrors effectively.

Introduction to basic driving skills: You'll learn how to start the engine, apply the handbrake, and put the car in gear. I will guide you through the process of smoothly accelerating and decelerating, as well as coming to a complete stop. You can expect at least 7-10 moving offs and stops within the lesson. To do this many moving offs requires a long stretch of straight road, this is why location is important at the beginning. Having mastered the control of the vehicle and gained confidence to move off, this is a solid foundation to progress onto junctions and more exercises in later lessons.

Questions and guidance: Throughout the lesson, don't hesitate to ask any questions you have. I am there to guide and teach you.

Debrief and Drive Back: At the end of every lesson, we will discuss how the lesson went, what we learnt, what went well, and what we might need to practise more, so that we can plan what to cover in the next lesson. This will give you a clear roadmap for your learning, to make sure you are getting value for money. Depending on where you live or want dropping off, initially I will drive back in the interests of safety and finishing your lesson on time.

Remember, the goal of the first driving lesson is to establish a foundation of basic skills and build your confidence behind the wheel. It's normal to feel nervous or make mistakes, which is why the teaching car has dual controls, so that whatever happens, I will keep you safe. Stay calm, and focus on building a solid foundation of skills and knowledge. With practice and experience, your confidence and abilities behind the wheel will grow.