From the age of seventeen, learning to drive becomes legal and you can begin your journey. But, as you have never done it before, this can seem like a monumental task. Where do you begin?
First and foremost, you should learn the basic rules of the road. Knowing a few basics before you get behind the wheel is always advisable if you have no idea what any of the signs mean during your first driving lessons you are a potential hazard on the road. A little bit of learning keeps both yourself and your fellow drivers safe.
1.Speed Limits
Drivers at the beginning of their lessons often have a difficult time with the concept of speed. Simply putting your foot down on the accelerator isn’t going to work. You need to take note of the speed of the road, adjust your speed accordingly and always ensure you are driving at the right speed to suit the road’s conditions. If the speed limit is 30mph, you might think you should be going 30mph, but what if there are cars parked on either side of the road causing the space to be much more limited? Then it is always advisable to drive slower, especially if another car comes in the opposite direction, in order to avoid a collision.
Generally speaking, the speeds of the roads in the UK are as follows:
- Urban: 30mph
- Rural: 60mph
- Motorway: 70mph
2.Basic Rules
Some prior, basic, knowledge is also a great thing to take out on the road with you. You should be preparing for your theory test, but in your first few practical lessons, you are not expected to know everything straight away. So, a few good rules to remember as you get behind the wheel for the first time include:
- When on a roundabout or junction, drivers on the right have the right of way.
- Always use indicators when turning.
- Slow down at junctions, roundabouts, intersections, pedestrian crossings and school zones.
- A safe distance must be maintained from vehicles ahead in order to avoid a collision.
- Never cross yellow lines, even when overtaking.
- The pedestrian has right of way at pedestrian crossings.
- Never start on the amber light. You can only go on green.
3.Seatbelt
Safety is paramount when driving, as any of our instructors will tell you. So, always ensure that you are wearing a seatbelt.
If you are just starting on the road to your driving lesson and not quite at the test ready stage you need a reliable and quality instructor, able to guide you through and teach you all the necessary things to pass your test. So, contact us today on 020 8647 0486 to discuss your options!
