So, you’ve decided to finally get behind the wheel? But, you’re not in your teens anymore. Maybe you’re a full-time mother, a full-time worker, or both – or you run your own company. Whatever your background, and whatever your reason for wanting to drive now, there’s lots of things to sort out: insurance, getting a provisional licence, finding a driving instructor. You’ll also need to think about the kind of car you want to learn to drive in. Here are some top tips for getting behind the wheel in your 20s, 30s and beyond…
Pick a driving school
Learning to drive can be daunting, especially as you get older. The first thing you need to do when starting your quest to drive is to pick a driving school. You should take some time to do this, to shop around, and to talk to the staff about their lessons, costs, and availability.
You will also want to feel comfortable with your instructor and the car that you’re being taken out in to learn to drive. It’s an important decision to make at the start of your journey, so don’t jump in without thinking. There are plenty of online courses available like Zutobi’s online driver’s ed course. That way you can learn on your own time.
Think safety
When learning to drive, and when you have passed your test, you always need to be thinking about safety when you’re out on the roads. Make sure you take in all the theory during your lessons, revise it at home. You’ll be tested on it – and you will need it when you take to the highways on your own.
Be aware of speed limits, road layouts and traffic priorities. Also, you should always be in good health when you’re driving. If you ever get into any accidents or other driving offences, you may need to consult a lawyer to advise you.
Get a car for private practice
Outside of your formal driving lessons, you’ll want to consider investing in a car to practice with a registered driver. Choosing the right kind of vehicle to do this is important. You may love the idea of driving around in an open-top sports car, but think about the reality. Would that be best for you at this stage of your driving? You need to think about the size of the car, the model, what suits you best – and what makes you the most comfortable during what can be a stressful learning experience for some.
If you’re going to buy a used car, make sure that you get it checked out by someone who knows their stuff – and ensure you locate all the necessary paperwork.
In-sync
When picking a car for your private practice lessons, try and match it up to the one that you’re learning in with the driving school. This way, it will help make the transition a little easier between the two – and not throw any obstacles in the way of your learning.
Driving instructors don’t usually pull big SUVs out of the school’s garage for you to learn in. Normally, they’re small or medium-sized cars. Simply, because they’re easier for you to get to grips with at this stage of your driving and to master all the different manoeuvres.
If you’re comfortable with your school car, and your private one, then hopefully it will help the ease the stress of learning and, ultimately, set you on the road to passing your test – and first time!