Book the right lesson times.

Try to book your lessons at a time when you know you will feel at your most alert and awake. This means you will be at your most receptive to learning. If you’re an early-bird, book a morning lesson. If you’re not a morning person, then try to book a lesson for later in the day. Try to book your test for a time that suits you in this way too.  

Find the right instructor.

It’s important to have an instructor that you can work with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with them and the right instructor greatly increases your chances of passing your driving test. If you don’t find an instructor suits you, don’t be afraid to switch to another until you find one that you do get along with and will adapt your style of learning to help you. 

Start preparing for your theory test early.

It might seem early, but as soon as you book lessons, start studying for your theory test. There’s a lot to learn, and the knowledge will also help you to understand your practical driving more too and make safer decisions. You can take mock tests online to help you prepare effectively and to feel much more confident when you’re driving for real. It’s never too early to start preparing for your theory test. 

Check a map of the test area.

You won’t be able to find any maps of exact routes, but you can predict the roads you’re likely to be asked to drive on. Your instructor will take you out in the likely test area, and you can safely bet you will be asked to navigate challenges like roundabouts, junctions, and crossroads. Look for these features on a map to see where you might be asked to drive during your test. 

Check your medication.

If you take any medications, such as antihistamines for hayfever, double-check the potential side effects. Some medications can cause drowsiness, which is obviously not safe for driving. Check the advice on the package about driving, or ask your doctor for advice if you aren’t sure if you will be safe. They may be able to suggest an alternative medication option that is safe to take before you drive. 

Be realistic with your learning goals.

Learning to drive takes time and dedication. You aren’t going to pick it up all in one go. Try to break your learning time up into smaller, bite-size chunks. Focus on learning new skills in every lesson, instead of trying to learn everything all at once. You’ll build your driving knowledge in a safe and solid way that will help you in the rest of your driving life. 

Learn for life, not the test.

New drivers tend to only focus on their driving test and not worry about driving after the test. Driving lessons are not just to learn to pass your test, they are meant to teach you to drive safely for the rest of your life. Concentrate on learning to drive in a way that will be safe forever, and the skills to pass your test will come naturally along with that. 

Wear the right clothes.

It’s important to be comfortable while driving, especially as lessons can be stressful. Wear clothing that isn’t too restrictive and allow for easy movement. Don’t wear anything hot or heavy. Footwear makes a lot of difference too. Avoid high heels, thick soles, or heavy footwear. Choose flat, thin-soled shoes so you can feel the car respond to what you’re doing. The right shoes really help with better, safer driving. 

Try to stay calm.

Nerves are a common cause of bad driving lessons and failed driving tests. Try to stay as calm as you can when you drive. To stay calm, make sure you get enough sleep the night before driving, stay properly hydrated, and try to practice calming methods like deep breathing exercises. Staying calm means you will be better able to concentrate and make much safer driving decisions, with fewer silly mistakes.  

Stay positive.

People learn more effectively when they are happy. Try to stay positive about your driving experience, as this can really help you to learn more effectively. Make changes to your patterns of thinking so you can focus on positive things rather than negative ones. Focus on the parts of driving that you love, whether that’s the freedom of driving or the satisfaction of mastering a new skill. Don’t get hung up on mistakes. Even experienced drivers make mistakes, and the point of your lessons is to learn how to safely respond to them.