What will I learn?

Learning to drive is one of those moments which people remember as an important milestone in life. While it’s natural that you might be nervous before your first lesson, your driving instructor is a highly trained professional who will quickly put you at ease, developing an atmosphere where you can learn in a safe environment. Over the next few weeks there will be lots to learn but this will be taught incrementally, starting with things such as starting off and basic car control. If you feel unhappy or unsure about anything which you are being asked to do, discuss these with your instructor.

From the June 4, 2018 learner drivers are allowed to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. This has been introduced to give learner drivers practical experience of driving in these conditions prior to passing their test. To drive on motorways learner drivers must be accompanied by an ADI in a dual controlled car. Any motorway lesson is voluntary and it is up to the driving instructor to decide when the learner driver is competent enough. Motorway driving is not being introduced into the driving test.

As an overview these are some of the key manoeuvres you will cover as part of learning to drive:

• Moving away and stopping
• Junctions
• Roundabouts
• Dual carriageways.

By the time you are ready to take your test a learner driver will be able to:

• Use mirrors correctly and signal to tell other road users what they intend to do
• Demonstrate they you can reverse and manoeuvre the vehicle
• Stop in an emergency
• Know and demonstrate correct positioning
• Demonstrate anticipation and planning
• Obey speed limits and keep up with the flow of traffic.