Preparing to take your first driving lesson can be a nerve-wracking moment. You’ve been waiting to take the first step on this journey for a long time, so it’s normal to be anxious about this moment and everything it represents for you in life.
But just because you’re nervous doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared. Here are a few tips to help you overcome that nervousness and ensure you’re able to put your best foot forward as you prepare drive for the first time.
Before the Lesson:
Eat something
Your brain needs energy to function at its best. Even though the nervousness may have put a slight damper on your appetite, it’s important that you eat SOMETHING. Even if it’s just a piece of fruit in the morning before your first lesson, it will do wonders to help you stay alert and ready to learn for the entire duration of your lesson.
Talk to someone
Even though you may be nervous, you’re not the first person to go through this. In fact, close to a million people start their journey towards becoming a licensed driver every year, so know that you are not alone in this. Seek out family or friends who already have their license, and talk to them about what their first lesson was like and ask them to share any specific tips that helped them while they were learning.
During the lesson
Wear comfortable clothes
It’s important to be comfortable while you’re learning to drive. The last thing you want is to be worried about how uncomfortable your skinny jeans are when you should be concentrating on the road. It’s best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and comfortable flat shoes while learning to ensure that your movement is never restricted in any way.
Start to get to know your instructor
At this point, you should have already had an in-depth conversation with your instructor about their qualifications and their plan for your lessons. Now would be a good time to get to know more about the person that will be teaching you. Why did they become a driving instructor and what they do in their spare time can be good places to start a conversation.
Doing this also establishes a norm of sharing information, which may make it easier for you to ask your instructor questions as they come to your head. You instructor is there to teach you, first and foremost, which includes answering all of your driving-related questions, so never hesitate to ask a question if you want to.
After the lesson – Remember the two C’s
Celebrate
Your first step on the journey to becoming a license driver is nothing to gloss over. Celebrate your first step to success, but remember that this is only the beginning. There’s much more to go before you can get your license.
Contemplate
Think critically about how your first lesson went, and write down anything you may still be unsure about. This will help you remember to ask your instructor about these things during your next lesson. You’ll also want to think about your instructor, and whether you’re comfortable spending another 30+ hours with this person. If you are, do not delay and book your next lesson as soon as possible so that you can begin amassing as much experience behind the wheel as possible.
If things didn’t go perfectly during your first lesson (which, if we’re being honest, they never do!), remember to persevere. Just like a baby stumbles after their first step, this is your first step to becoming a driver. Stick with it, and you’ll have your license far sooner than you’d think.