How To Prepare For Your First Driving Lesson
If you’re working with a driving instructor to prepare for your driving test and get your provisional licence, you may not be sure what to expect from a standard driving lesson.
1. Review The Basics Of Your Theory Test
It’s a good idea to review the Driver’s Knowledge Test (DKT) that you took to get your learner licence. This will ensure you refresh yourself and learn the basics about NSW road rules and how to operate a vehicle as you learn to drive.
2. Be Ready For The “Cockpit Drill”
Make sure you know the basic car controls and the layout of a typical car. Your instructor will arrive with a dual control car, and while it may vary a little bit from your practice vehicle, the basic components – shifter, signals, windshield wipers, accelerator, brake, etc. – will all be in the same place.
This is important since your instructor will ask you to do a “cockpit drill.” Learner drivers will be asked to sit in the driver’s seat and operate or point to various systems of the car to ensure that they know how to use them on the road.
3. Be Ready To Drive Based On Your Level Of Experience
Worried that your driving instructor will make you drive somewhere you’re not comfortable? Don’t worry. Your lesson plan will be customized for your specific needs. If you have 30 hours of logbook experience, for example, you may be asked to drive on a quiet suburban or rural road – but if you have 80 hours, and have done so before, you may be told to drive on the highway.
Or, if you only have a few hours of driving experience, you’ll spend some time in a car park, where your instructor will explain the basics about driving. Don’t be afraid – just make sure you tell your instructor about how much experience you have so that they can develop a lesson plan for your particular needs.
4. Stay Focused Throughout Your Lesson…
Make sure you’re not distracted – and that you’ve eaten and drank some water, and that you’re wearing comfortable clothing and shoes. Always stay focused on what your instructor is telling you, and follow their directions as closely as you can.
5. … But Relax – It’s Not A Driving Test!
Driving schools and driving instructors are not testing your ability to drive – they’re looking for ways that you can improve so that you can learn to drive safely and pass your drive test on your first go.
So while you should take your lesson seriously, focus, and pay attention, you should also try to relax a little bit. Don’t be nervous or anxious. Your driving instructor is there to help you – and if you drive safely and focus on following their instructions, you’ll be able to learn a lot about driving in just a few quick lessons!
Need Help Learning To Drive? Contact LTrent Driving School Today
At LTrent Driving School, our team is here to help you get the professional driving instruction you need. With a wide variety of driving instructors, reasonable rates, and block bookings available, we’re always ready to instruct learner drivers of all ages. We also offer the Safer Drivers Course for learners to upskill, be more confident and safer on the road. So don’t wait – contact us online or give us a call at (02) 8748 4500 to get started.