Things to do before your first lesson

You need to have your driving licence!

You will have to show both parts of your driving licence to your driving instructor on your first lesson. You can apply for your provisional license up to three months before you 17th birthday (16th if receiving the higher level of disability living allowance). You can apply for you licence on-line following this link Direct.gov and you will normally receive your licence within two weeks.

Check your eyesight / Glasses

To drive you have to be able to read a car number plate from up to 20.5 meters away:

Using old style number plates is 20.5 meters or 20 meters if the new-style number plate is used.
New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB 51 ABC. This will also be checked on your first lesson.

What to wear for your driving lessons

You don't have to worry about what to wear! Just make sure you are comfortable. The main thing to think about is the foot wear. You need to be able to feel the "bite" of the clutch(see Clutch Help for more info). So with that in mind don't wear any high heels as you cant balance or control the clutch properly. Don't wear any trainers or boots with thick soles as that wont help either. Don't wear "Flip-Flop" type shoes as they fall off! Last but not least you cant drive bear footed.

Read some of the HighWay Code

I recommend a little light reading before your first lesson. Some people will like to start revising for your theory test but you don't have to do much before your first lesson or any if you don't want to. If you do then take a look at The following sections of the High way code:
•Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89-102) Rules 89-102 - Direct.gov
•Signals (103-112) Rules 103-112 - Direct.gov

Sit in a Car...

If you can sit in a car (don't start the engine or take of the handbrake! And make sure its safe!)then have a look at the pedals on the drivers side. The One on the Right is the Accelerator, the middle one is the Brake and the Left one is the Clutch (C B A). Practice moving(or pivoting) your right foot between the two pedals(brake and accelerator). The left foot only ever uses the clutch! Ask any friends or relatives (don't worry if they tell you slightly wrong it will just enable you to drive more on your first lesson) who can drive to explain the use of the pedals especially the clutch with the biting point. Don't try to drive the car before your first lesson as it may not be safe but you can try to change gears while NOT moving (if you go on the roads or any public property you need insurance and a suitable accompanied adult see our accompanying Learners page for more info.) Changing gears is quite a simple procedure so ask the person who owns the car to show you how and then try for your self. Try not to look at the gears and keep it slow and smooth. You instructor can then iron out any problems but knowing were the gears are in a car is a great help even though some cars have different layout for reverse and some have a 6th or even 7th gear these days.

Is your driving instructor Approved

To get the best start to your driving life make sure you have a good instructor. Ask for a recommendation from friends / family and make sure your driving instructor is an Driving Standard Agency Approved Driving Instructor. Some are only Trainee's!

Be fresh and ready - Have a good night's sleep

Try to have a good night sleep before your driving lessons. You will find it easier to take onboard the new information.

Don't worry, Be happy!!

Everybody is nervous before their first lesson but you have to remember that your instructor is use to having first lessons. I can even remember my first lesson. It wasn't as bad as i thought it would be and I was pleasantly surprised on how much i did on my first lesson.

What to expect on your first lesson

What you do on your first lesson will depend on what experience you have and how you learn. Everybody is different but usually your first lesson will take the following route:
•Your instructor will turn up at your allotted time (usually from home, work or collage etc)
•YOu will then be asked to read a number plate and then your driving licence will be checked and details logged
•You will be given a logbook so you can keep a check on your progress
•Normally your home (etc) isn't a suitable place to have you first lesson so your ADI will drive you to a suitable place. On the way your instructor will talk to you and often demonstrate how the car works.
•Once their you will swap over and start the lesson from the drivers seat
The subjects you will cover are:
•Cockpit Drill
•Safety Checks
•Moving off and stopping
•Turning left into side roads
Then depending on how fast you pick it up you will possible also cover:
•Turning Right into side roads
•Approaching T junctions and turning Left
•Approaching T junctions and turning Right
I also try to get most of my Learners driving back home on the first lesson but that can depend on how far and how busy the roads home are!? You will also be taught by Chris Richards ADI, using the latest Coaching methods so that you learn more, recall more and become better and safer drivers.