• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Taking my first driving lesson in an hour. Any tips?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

snoopeasystreet

Member
So yeah, I'm going to start learning how to drive today. Being 20 years old, I feel a bit long in the tooth to learn given that most of my friends already have their full licences. The main reason that I didn't learn yet is because I prefer cycling to places that are nearby and anything further, I can either get a lift off of someone else or I can just get a bus or something.

Anyways, I've never driven a manual before and despite knowing the gears and the theory behind changing them, but I'm afraid that I'm going to cut the car out and be generally shite. So I've come to GAF looking for a bit of advice and some stories of how you folk learning to drive.

You have 60 minutes to turn me into the stig.
 
If you start with manual transmission class, you will probably suck. But this is normal.
Either way, relax and take it easy driving is not hard and it's fucking awesome.
 
Don't drive fast even if you're pressured to. Even if you're as slow as hell and you're taking time to be extra cautious, it's alright... Better than losing some limbs.
 
It's all common sense and fundamentals. When in doubt, slow down. Better to be an old lady and have someone honk at you than do something hasty and hit a curb or something.

Also, a few drinks should calm the nerves before the test.
 
ULTROS! said:
Even if you're as slow as hell and you're taking time to be extra cautious, it's alright... Better than losing some limbs.
Click to expand...

Not sure if I totally agree with this. Driving slow makes you an obstacle for everyone going the speed limit, which could potentially be very dangerous.
 
snoopeasystreet said:
I live in the country. I'm more likely to hit a sheep than pedestrians.
Click to expand...

That should make your lesson even better. No people running onto the streets. Great stuff.
 
Obey all stop signs, even if your test person says "Oh, keep on going". I was an idiot and listened to the dude, instead of stopping at the stop sign. Thankfully, dude realized how much of an ass move that was, and passed me anyways.
 
Don't worry about cutting the car down if you are not used to a manual. Happened to me quite often in the beginning until I got used to it. And then even a few times after getting the license and switching from the driving school turbo diesel to a normal fuel car. If you drive a turbo diesel you can let the clutch come first to accelerate and then hit the gas.

Always-honest said:
Is it in the U.S?
Cause driving is a bit fucking easy there isn't it?

The rules are important. Learn them well.
Click to expand...

He is from Ireland.
 
Keep in my mind controlling the car is not the hardest part of driving, your biggest problem will be the traffic.
DONT look at the stick while changing gears, try to have a feeling where the gears are as soon as possible
 
Lireu77 said:
Don't worry about cutting the car down if you are not used to a manual. Happened to me quite often in the beginning until I got used to it. And then even a few times after getting the license and switching from the driving school turbo diesel to a normal fuel car. If you drive a turbo diesel you can let the clutch come first to accelerate and then hit the gas.



He is from Ireland.
Click to expand...

Ah, practice gearshifting and pedal at home.

                                      
 
get a good instructor and do everything he/she says

trying to learn yourself or with a crappy instructor ain't gonna help you pass the exam (assuming the Irish ones are as strict as over here)
 
Don't stress about gears and changes, the instructor will ease you into it. It will become second nature in a short period of time too. Also, you WILL stall at times. Everyone did. It's not a big deal though, and don't give a fuck about slowing down other drivers - they can see you're learning and it's their job to be patient and considerate, not yours to be a pro driver and not inconvenience them.

Also, have fun!
 
burnout3_no1.jpg


^ Train with this game before you go

Good luck
 
The instructor is very important. I had an awful one and didn't learn a lot and didn't enjoy it.
After your lesson think to yourself if you want to stick with the same instructor or get a new one.
 
'sokay. I had my first driving lesson last month and I'm almost 19. Dude spent the entire first lesson teaching me what gears were, and how to use the clutch. You won't have anything too hard.

When driving, look at the furthest point away from you, not the road. Your hands will turn naturally around corners. Also, it opens up your vision and you notice more obstacles ahead.
 
-Don't worry about stalling, everyone does it, and no ones going to look down on you.

-Mirrors. You're gonna need to look at those mirrors for every change you do, whether that is changing lanes, gears and roads.

- Don't think they'll make you do a lot in your first lesson. Chances are you'll spend most of your first lesson driving around in first gear (max 10mph) on a quite road. If you learn fast you'll go to second gear.
 
I was behind the wheels at a driving school the first week I turned 15. My mother is disabled so I had to learn quick. You'll do just fine. Don't get too nervous. Aside from understanding the laws of the road, the driving part itself is pretty straight forward.
 
Prepare yourself that you will probably suck in the beginning, and the driving teacher might yell at you. Don't let this hurt your confidence or make you panic. It's important. Everybody had to start practice driving sometime. It's not something you're born with. Be patient and relaxed and just take it easy.
 
Confidence is key. My instructor was a bit of a dick so I was really nervous all the time...made everything really stressful. Just slow down and simplify things for yourself. Don't think too much. I couldn't get over the fact that I was driving something worth like 20 000 dollars and that if I were to crash it my parents would be pissed off. That's something you have to get over, I guess.
 
Always remember you are in control of the car, not the other way around. A car will never get away from you unless you want it to, never be afraid of it. 70% of driving is mental, if you go in understanding this then once you've learnt the technical aspects you'll be on the road to a bright driving future.
 
Cheers for the help, GAF. just waiting on my instructor to call over. He should be here any minute now. My new goal is to not flip the car. Should be fairly achievable.
 
Prine said:
Everyone on the road are arseholes who laugh at you obeying road "laws".
Click to expand...

funny but true. Fuck driving scool - nobody is going to like you and everybody will drive like a fucker because you and your slow driving scool "law obeying" car are annoying. You will be amazed how relaxed nearly all other drivers are when you are not in a driving scool car!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

My first kickstarter…lofree hyzen keyboard
34
443
Northeastmonk replied
  • Poll
Amazon adds 1-hour and 3-hour delivery, but it will cost you
2
56
707
StreetsofBeige replied
130 years ago, the first speeding ticket was issued, for a man driving at 13 km/h
23
473
Represent. replied
Any fiction readers on here?
2
54
300
NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt replied
Mandalorian and Grogu first clip
2 3 4 5
216
2K
spookyfish replied
Top Bottom