The Experienced Driver

After your first driving lesson you will now be moving on to the fundamentals of driving, the dos and don’ts of the road. While you will have recently taken your theory test, you will have a working knowledge of the rules of the road, it is unlikely that you will have had much practical experience with driving. While conquering the theory test is definitely an important feat in your driving career, answering questions upon a computer screen about what you would do in any given driving situation is very different from actually engaging in these situations yourself. I had to learn this the hard way, entering into my driving lessons quite confident about my ‘driving experience’ while I had virtually none.

The purpose of multiple driving lessons can give you the experience required to go from new driver, to confidant driver in just a matter of weeks. The only drawback to this situation is the fact that driving lessons can be expensive for the young driver and in the current economic climate this may put a halt to your driving aspirations.

Certain tips I was given by other new drivers who found themselves in the same economic hardship as myself were these:
1. If your parents, or friends or other significant people in your life offer you a birthday present, perhaps you could ask them to forward you a voucher for some driving lessons.
2. Putting together a weekly budget of just a few euros into a ‘driving lesson’ savings jar.
3. If you are a more confident and calm driver you could ask a parent or relative to chaperone you in one of their own cars. Be warned however - these cars do not have the luxury of dual controls- but it may save you money in the long run. You can receive as few driving lessons as possible.
4. Shop around in your area for the best driving lessons with the best instructors and the best prices. It seems obvious, but don’t be frightened to shop around somewhat.

After achieving your goal of regular driving lessons your confidence and capabilities on the road should greatly improve. As you may have often heard family members and friends say: your car will feel like it has become an extension of your own body. Reversing into parking spaces will become an obstacle you can easily conquer. Nevertheless, bear in mind that slipping into bad habits can occur quickly and easily, so remember to be vigilant against this pest. If you are mindful of all of these pitfalls then there is no reason why you will not – with the proper amount of tutelage, be ready to prepare for your driving test.

You can prepare for your driving test by taking lessons. Driving lessons in Ennis are available from Accelerated Tuition who are available to free phone at 1800 848586. Accelerated Tuition offer a special unofficial certificate to all their drivers to help them gauge what level they themselves are at as new or experienced drivers. Other options include the Clare School of Motoring, cased in Ballybeg available for call on 065 6842684 or Paul O’ Brien School of Motoring, who can be contacted on 065 6829314. Driving lessons are an experience that will benefit and reward you.

I am an experienced journalistic writer and editor.