How to Prepare Yourself to Learn Driving?

Possessing a car or a bike is no more a luxury or a dream that a common man cannot fulfill. Cars are no longer a luxury asset for the affluent people. They have become an affordable mode of transport and are used by a large number of middle-class Indians for their daily commute to work. The increase in population has led to an increase in working individuals and traffic as the number of cars has also increased incredibly. Under such circumstances, it is imperative that each driver on the road learns to drive well. It not only ensures safety and avoids street accidents, but also helps in avoiding unorganized traffic conditions.

Moreover, driving is an essential life skill and people must learn it for their own independence and safety. However, before joining a driving school or directly getting on the roads to acquire this skill, there are some important points that every potential driver needs to know.

Before You Start Learning to Drive...

• Prepare yourself mentally and improve your concentration levels. The skill of driving requires a lot of focus and attention. One cannot afford to be unmindful even for a second as it can cost your life.

• Inculcate the quality of being patient. Learning to be a good driver isn’t an overnight job. It requires a lot of patience to just learn the basics. Moreover, once you learn the basics and start taking the car out on the streets, you need to be extremely attentive and patient throughout.

• Acquaint yourself to the basic mechanisms of the car that you are about to learn driving in. An understanding of the car in advance will definitely make it much easier and more comfortable once you get on the street.

• Develop a basic knowledge about the mechanical parts of the car. You must know where the brake, clutch, and accelerator are located. Find out the various switches that control the lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, air conditioner, etc. Learn to operate the hand-brake.

• Although you might own a fully automatic car, it is important to learn driving a non-automatic car. Learning to drive while shifting gears might be quite difficult as compared to driving an automatic car; however, in a country like India, where non-automatic cars are still in vogue, it is always good to acquire the tougher skillset.

• Look for some good driving schools in your locality. Although your family members can teach you driving, it is better to join a driving school. They generally teach you more professionally, with technical finesse and patience. They also train you to pass the driving test for obtaining a license. Moreover, the driving schools have cars with control pedals on the passenger side too. This allows the trainer to control the car before a potential mishap.

• You need to have a basic knowledge of traffic signals, road signs, and important driving rules.

• Schedule your driving class at a time when you are stress-free. It will help you concentrate on driving.

• Always be very careful and vigilant as a petty mistake can cost dearly.

While You Learn to Drive...

• Pay attention and listen intently to the instructor.  Implement his instructions while you drive.

• Always be vigilant. Pay attention to the surroundings, the vehicles around you, the road signs and traffic signals.

• During the first few classes, try to drive on a no-man zone, i.e., a less crowded road devoid of traffic and pedestrians.

• Master the basics before you venture into busier roads and areas full of people and traffic.

• When you finally begin to drive in the normal areas amidst normal traffic conditions, choose your timings well. You wouldn't want to be stuck in adverse traffic conditions that you are incapable of tackling. Also, learn some basic driving tricks - neither drive dangerously fast nor go too slow.

• Train yourself for the driving test for obtaining a driving license. Motor training schools usually teach you to pass this test.

• Remember to carry all the necessary car-related documents and driving license while driving.