Your first driving lesson can be a mix of excitement and nerves, but knowing what to expect can help ease those butterflies. Think about your driving instructor as a coach. Your role is to discover how to drive safely and within the rules of the Highway Code, while your driving instructors role is to guide you to discover the things you may not know yet. Together your driving journey will begin.

Most lessons begin with a short chat where your instructor will introduce themselves and check your provisional licence. They’ll explain how the lesson will run and may ask about any previous driving experience you have.

The instructor will then guide you through the basics of the vehicle’s controls: clutch, brake, accelerator, gears, mirrors, and indicators. Don’t worry—you won’t be expected to remember everything straight away. You’ll likely start in a quiet area, such as a residential street, industrial estateor car park, to get familiar with moving off and stopping safely.

In this first hour, your instructor will tailor the pace to your confidence level. You might get as far as changing gears or even trying a turn or two. Throughout the lesson, the instructor will talk you through each step, offering gentle encouragement and feedback. It’s okay to make mistakes—everyone does! That’s all part of learning.

At the end of the lesson, they’ll discuss how it went, give feedback, and talk about what you’ll cover next time. They may also help you book your next few lessons.

Top tip: Wear comfy shoes and clothes, bring your licence, and try to arrive a few minutes early so you’re not flustered.

Remember, every expert driver started as a beginner. Your first lesson is just the beginning of an exciting journey towards independence and freedom on the road.

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