Got my first driving lesson this saturday...

[Rusty]

Thanks for all the replies and great advice!! It is reassuring to know that my worries are normal for a first-timer! I had anticipated laughter and ridicule!!

I'm having 2hr lessons once or twice each week so I'm hoping that I'll get into the swing of things quickly! It's good to know that it's possible to learn in a short period of time!

Which brings me to my next question: How many lessons did you all take before taking your practical test and did you pass first time?

Thanks again xx

15 hours including the test, just under 6 weeks after my 17th birthday when I passed withy 3 minors. I could already control a car though so perhaps that's a little bit misleading.

[als2]

The stuck in traffic scenario is that you only have an hour for the test so sitting for 45min in traffic means you head back early!!!

[dmacdou1]

As others have said, staying calm is one of the most important things. Dont freak out when you stall it(and you will, we all did), a lot of learners panic when that happens. Keep a cool head and you'll fly through it.

Another tip I think is to understand and get used to all the controls and how to use them before you venture onto the roads, so the car park/field practise is a good idea i think. That way you'll be thinking less about "how do i change gear now" and more about road position etc when it comes to actual driving. I actually gave my daughter a wee lesson in a field recently(shes 13), i want her to be able to control a car before she ever goes near the roads. There are also centres where you can learn these skills in a simulated road, safe enviroment.

Anyway, best of luck.

(and the best drivers DO pass second time )

[Colesy]

Colesy - why would being stuck in rush hour during my test be a good thing? I'm curious!!

I've heard stories where people have been stuck in traffic for the whole test and haven't had any time to do any maneuvers and have pretty much just driven a couple of miles. But I guess that it works both ways in that you would have to be able to drive confidently in traffic...

Just wear a short skirt and a low cut top and you'll be fine!

[tommyboy]

Good luck in your first lesson there...ive just away to sit my theory ..and i cant stress enough that the highway code should be yoour bedtime reading..followed by a mock test on the internet...they've helped me ton's

Just the bloody cost of lesson's and the theory and the test are 2bh disgusting. £30 a lesson £30 for theory £60 for a test:O

[Laurel]

Just wear a short skirt and a low cut top and you'll be fine!

I had to laugh at your comment! I'm sure I'll look super sexy in with my 8 month pregnant belly sticking out from my low cut top!! Unless I get an examiner who is into MILFs. lol.

[Flat on my back]

.

Mirror, signal, safety, manouver...

Always check your 'blind spot'.

[LSG]

new driver

you,ll be fine. changing gear ect ,it will all come together as you get time behind the wheel. As your driving along, when you see a drain cover try and drive over it you,ll feel the car go over it but you,ll think you going to hit the kerd it will help you with the size of the car hope that make sence. swindon just stay away from the magic roundabouts but you lern to drive to pass your test,then after you pass you can lern to drive properly.good luck. lynn

[Laurel]

UPDATE: Well just got back from my first lesson. (Was 2 hours long) Wow didn't expect the first 1hr 45mins to be all "this is a seatbelt, this is your door handle, push the button in to move the handbrake" etc etc. It was very thorough!

I only got 20 mins of driving time!! Stop, start, steer left, steer right, turn around...no no no Laura don't do a U-turn at 20mph !! I did get a little over-confident and thought it was quite fun to do U-turns.

Didn't go too badly, but spent the whole time in the car park for the football stadium - a bunch of lads got out their car and openly laughed at me sitting there listening to my very polite Indian instructor (who gave me a great tip on the best Indian food in Swindon btw!!) who was telling me how to turn the fan on....Oh the shame! I wanted to die.

Next week I'll be going into 2nd gear!! Oh the excitement!! haha

[Markarina]

top tip from my wife for when you take your test ... tie your hair in a high pony tail reason being it then becomes very obvious when you moving your head to check your mirrors

[Ross]

Well, well, well... my 'Project: S2 daily driver and sell the golf for an upgrade slush fund' just went out the window

Oh, the car dilemma's now... but I'll start my own thread for that