For lots of teenagers, learning to drive is a rite of passage, and can be the most exciting thing about turning 17. However, the reality is often different to what you imagine the learning experience to be like, so it’s important that you know what to expect. Being able to drive is useful for lots of reasons, but you shouldn’t be surprised when your parents want to get their own back for being your taxi service for years by asking for lifts to the supermarket or into town!
Firstly, the learning style is very different to what you might be used to at school or college. It’s not at all about sitting and studying to answer questions in your final exam. While you will, of course, need to know all about cars, driving and the rules of the road, the main component is the practical exam. Practice makes perfect, and signing up for lessons with a reputable driving school should mean you get all the practice you need to feel comfortable behind the wheel so that you pass your test with flying colours.
Another thing to remember is that learning to drive can be expensive, so make sure you’ve saved up enough money for all of your lessons. However, it isn’t just the learning process that can be costly. You will also need to make sure you have enough money set aside to buy a car, pay for insurance and road tax and for any maintenance which it might need. You will also ideally need a steady income to cover petrol costs. That is why it might be best to take your test close to when you will need to be driving, or you can take refresher classes to get yourself settled in the driving seat if it’s been a while.
Being able to drive can give you a huge amount of freedom, and means you don’t have to rely on late buses or cancelled trains. You can set the schedule that suits you, and you can park in the most convenient spot to avoid long hikes to or from the bus stop. It also means that you can save money on overpriced tickets, and if a group of you are travelling you can split the cost of petrol for an easier and cheaper way to travel.
Learning to drive can be incredibly exciting and can open up the world to you and your friends, so as long as you stay safe and remember everything you learned in your lessons you can make your way onto the open road safe in the knowledge that you know all you need to know.
Colin Thomas is a motoring enthusiast who learned to drive at the age of 17 and hasn’t looked back since!
