Driving Lessons

So you have your Provisional Licence and you now want to start learning how to drive......

As a learner driver you must display red 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) in a visible and prominent position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.

Remember, the vehicle will need to be insured for you to drive as a learner driver.

You have several options as to how to go about learning:

You could learn with a friend or family member.

This person must be at least 21 years of age and must have held (and still hold) a full licence for three years for the class of vehicle you wish to drive. Be aware, however, that this person may well not have the experience, knowledge or training to be able to teach you all the skills required to pass a driving test, let alone to become a safe driver.

Advantages

• Lessons will not cost you much in fact they should cost you nothing - The accompanying driver is not allowed to charge you for their tuition.
• You can learn in your own car.
• Flexibility for times of lessons - You are not restricted to booking up lessons in advance with an instructor.

  Disadvantages

• x You will have to pay the insurance costs to allow you to drive the car as a learner. This may cost quite a lot.
• x You will almost certainly not have dual controls in the vehicle meaning that your accompanying driver cannot help if you get into difficulties.
• x Bad habits passed on - Your accompanying driver may not practice good driving habits and cause you to learn the incorrect way to do things. This could cost you dearly on your test.
• x Your accompanying driver may well not be aware of current practice or be up-to-date with current legislation.
• x Lack of experience - If you are struggling with a particular skill, your accompanying driver is unlikely to have the experience necessary to adapt their teaching to overcome the problem.
• x Can lead to rows - Mistakes may lead to disagreements which can cause friction in families and friendships.

You could take sessions on a driving simulator.

This is a computer simulation of driving that uses actual car components to simulate the experience of driving. However, the simulators are unable to provide any tactile feedback to the user and most people find that actual on-road driving lessons are more beneficial and better value.

 Advantages

• Simulator Sessions are cheaper than on-road driving lessons.
• You can start on the Simulator long before you reach seventeen.
• You can learn the basics before taking lessons.
• Mistakes don't matter.
• A good way to gain confidence before starting on-road lessons.

Disadvantages

• x Cannot tailor its teaching to your individual needs.
• x Is very basic and cannot teach you more complicated techniques or skills.
• x Controls have no "feel" and do not really give the same experience as driving a real car on the road.
• x Cannot ever teach you all you need to know - you will need to get on the road eventually.
• x Tendency to treat driving like a computer game - it isn't!
• x Few and far between. Locating one is a challenge in itself.

You could take lessons with a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) or Potential Driving Instructor (PDI).

ADIs are all trained and tested to rigorous standards and are better equipped than anyone to teach you the relevant skills needed to pass your driving test and, more importantly, to become a safe driver for life.

In order to qualify as an ADI, Driving Instructors need to pass three separate exams. An ADI will display a green badge in the windscreen of their tuition vehicle.

Some Trainee Instructors elect to obtain a short-term Trainee Licence in order to gain experience whilst they study for the third exam.

These instructors are known as PDIs and display a pink badge in the windscreen of their tuition vehicle.

If you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Only a PDI or ADI are allowed to offer driving instruction for money.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) also check the standards of all ADIs on a regular basis, and grade them according to their teaching ability.

Advantages

• You can have confidence that your instructor is up-to-date on all aspects of driving, including legislation and latest techniques - for example, Eco-Friendly Driving.
• Your instructor will tailor your tuition to suit you as an individual.
• Your instructor will use a dual-controlled car so that he/she can help you if you get into difficulties.
• Most tuition vehicles are modern, well-maintained and equipped with numerous safety features.
• You can be sure that the tuition vehicle is suitably insured.
• Your instructor will be able to advise you what training aids to use, when you are ready to take your theory and practical tests and how best to practice with a suitable accompanying driver if this is possible.

Disadvantages

• x Cost of lessons. However, this is offset by the increased likelihood of you becoming a safer driver and passing your test sooner.
• x Less-flexible as you have to fit in with their diary and commitments to other pupils.
• x Learning with a PDI could leave you needing to change instructor if they do not pass their final exam before their short-term pink licence expires. They cannot then carry on teaching.

Whatever method you decide on, think about it first.