After what has been a rollercoaster of a year, driving lessons are finally restarting again in April, and for those learner drivers who started learning before the pandemic hit… if you listen closely enough, you can almost hear the sighs of relief! Most, if not all learners will be raring to get back on the roads and practice in private, reconnect with their driving instructor and work on passing their driving test. Just make sure your learner insurance is still valid! For some of you, it may have been over a year since your last lesson. To help we’re sharing our top tips and advice with you for those upcoming driving lessons that’ll get you back into the swing of things!

Booking in your driving lessons

Like many industries during the pandemic, driving instructors had to stop working and driving lessons ceased. We’re so thankful that we’re starting to get back on the road to some normality, but with this also means there’s likely going to be a backlog of people wanting to get lessons in. There’s everyone who has taken a yearlong break in their lessons, as well as everyone who is just turning 17 and wants to start to learn! 

Contact your driving instructor early and try to book in as many lessons in advance as you can but be prepared to have to wait a little longer than usual, either to get started again or the time in between the lessons.

Try to keep your cool

We know it’s easier said than done but trying as best as you can to keep your cool is key. Here’s a few things to remember:

• Your driving instructor isn’t expecting you to pick up exactly where you left off – a year’s break from being behind the wheel will mean you’ve forgotten a few things – but that’s ok!
• Let your instructor know before you’re lesson that you’re anxious, they can likely talk you through the upcoming lesson to let you know what to prepare for and hopefully calm some of your nerves
• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get back in the car and be perfect, it’ll take time to become familiar with driving again before you can progress further

Go back to basics

If you’re super worried about your first lesson back, suggest to your driving instructor that you want to spend some time getting used to the car again. Head for an empty car park and familiarise yourself with the car again. It may seem counterproductive that you’re not back to driving as you did before lockdown but give yourself some time to get used to it again.

We’ve got a guide of handy driving manoeuvre videos from driving instructor Chris over on our YouTube channel that give you tips of everything from parallel parking to dealing with roundabouts. If you’re worried you’ve forgotten everything you know, go and give them a watch!

Don’t rush to get to your test

Even if you were test ready pre lockdown, you’ll likely need a few lessons to get back into good driving habits and have the aspects you need to pass your test fresh in your mind. If you can, we’d suggest getting in at least 2 or 3 lessons with your instructor before taking your test again. After all, it’ll be quicker to do that, than it will be to fail your test and have to rebook.

Get in private practice

If you do find that your driving lessons with an instructor aren’t going to be as frequent as you’d like, getting in private practice could make all the difference. Use the extra time in between lessons to perfect the things you’ve been taught by your instructor – this will speed up the learning to drive process and hopefully, make up for some of the lost time you’ve missed out on! Check out our top tips and advice for picking up private practice here!