What To Expect On Your First Driving Lesson
If you’re a learner driver working toward your provisional licence and you’ve booked a driving lesson from a driving school, you may not be sure what to expect. In this guide, we’ll discuss what you can expect from your driving instructor during your first lesson, so that you can be properly prepared.
Overview Of Car Controls & Basic Concepts
You’ll meet your instructor at the place they’ve specified, and they’ll be waiting with a dual controlled car – meaning the vehicle has a set of accelerator and brake pedals on the passenger side. Your instructor will drive you to a quiet road or car park.
The first lesson your instructor will give you is all about controlling a car properly. You’ll get in the driver’s seat, and the instructor will explain basic car controls – accelerator and brakes, steering, windshield wipers, and more. Don’t worry – if you’re a more experienced driver, this step of the lesson plan may be skipped.
Learn The “Cockpit Drill”
The cockpit drill consists of the following:
- Checking that your doors are properly shut
- Adjusting the seat & steering to a comfortable position
- Securing seatbelts
- Adjusting mirrors
- Final checks (making sure the car is in gear, parking brake is off, etc.)
- Turning on the engine
- The first step of safety while learning to drive is to make sure your vehicle is safe and ready for operation, so this is an important drill to learn.
Begin Driving Based On Your Comfort Level
Don’t be afraid – a professional driving instructor won’t make you do anything you’re not comfortable with. If you have never driven your car before, you’ll simply go to an empty car park, and your instructor will give you a few manoeuvres to try at a low speed, like driving around a light pole or other obstacles, parking or backing into a parking spot, and other such basic things that you should master before trying to drive on public roads.
If you have a bit more experience and have been on public roads, your instructor will direct you to drive to a quiet road where you can demonstrate your skills further – and they will provide you with instructions, feedback, and tips on driving safety that you can incorporate into your driving right away.
You will be completely safe during this process. Your instructor will do their best to avoid any situations you’re not comfortable with – and with a dual-control car, your instructor can hit the brakes or accelerate in the rare event that there is a dangerous situation on the road.
Your Driving Lessons Will Be Tailored To Your Skill Level & Your Needs
Driving lessons are not “one size fits all” – and excellent driving instructors know this. Whether you’re a complete novice and have never stepped behind the wheel, or you’ve already learned some of the basics with a supervising driver like a parent, your instructor will develop a lesson plan that’s perfect for improving your skills.
Ready to get started? LTrent offers reasonably-priced driving lessons for customers all throughout VIC, NSW, and ACT. With bulk booking discounts for multiple lessons and certified, professional instructors, we’re always here to empower learner drivers with the knowledge they need to learn to drive safely. To get started, book your driving lessons online!
LTrent also offer the Safer Driver Course, which is made up of 3 hours in class and 2 hours of in car lessons, with which you can record a total of 20 hours in your logbook. Get started with LTrent Driving School and book your driving lessons today.