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Learn to Drive with Confidence: Expert Tips from a Top Driving School

Are you learning to drive for the first time? Do you feel apprehensive about getting behind the wheel? Are you scared about what could happen if you encounter a situation you can’t handle?

All of these are valid fears and concerns when it comes to driving. Operating a vehicle is a huge responsibility, and it’s up to you to keep yourself and others safe.

Driving school can help you feel more confident when driving a car. Here are some things to consider when you start driving lessons for beginners.

Practice Defensive Driving

There’s no doubt you’ve seen or experienced road rage when you’re in a car. People often drive dangerously and aggressively, which can potentially harm other drivers around them.

The best way to combat this is by using defensive driving. Defensive drivers use several techniques to keep everyone safe while on the road.

For instance, take your time when performing actions such as merging and switching lanes. Avoid speeding, even if it seems harmless at the time.

Another key tip: Maintain a safe following distance between yourself and other cars. You never know when someone could rear-end you or stop abruptly in front of you.

A good rule of thumb is one second of distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length if you’re going under 40 miles per hour. Add one extra second for higher speeds, such as driving on the highway.

Always be on the lookout for other drivers. Don’t assume that everyone else on the road is as attentive as yourself. Constantly scan the area in case there are hazards like road debris or extreme weather.

Drive as Much as Possible

The only way you will get better at driving is to keep driving. Take every opportunity you can to get practice before you get behind the wheel for your final exam.

In Tennessee, you must also have 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience if you’re under 18. Ten of those hours must be at night. Have a qualified parent, legal guardian, or driving instructor verify you practiced those hours.

Even a 10-minute drive to the grocery store will help you gain more experience. Every little bit adds up when it comes to getting comfortable behind the wheel of a car.

Choose a Good Driving School

If you don’t have someone to teach you how to drive, or you want to refine your skills, a driving school is a great choice. There are numerous driving school benefits that you can only get with a certified driving instructor.

You may not know how to choose a driving school if you have multiple options within your area. Here are some factors to consider:

Online Reviews

The internet is a valuable resource when deciding where to take your business. Online reviews can tell you if a driving school is worth the cost, or if it’s somewhere that you should stay away from.

Filter out results that have low star values. You can see some of the top listings by doing an internet search for “best driving schools near me.”

If a driving school only has a few negative reviews, take a look at them. Sometimes customers leave negative reviews for small things or issues that don’t have anything to do with the quality of the driving school.

Pricing

Driving school is an investment, so expect to pay a few hundred dollars for your driving lessons. You’ll essentially pay for both the instructor’s time and the wear and tear on their vehicle.

If there isn’t a clear answer, ask the driving school how much they charge per lesson. Sometimes, they offer package deals. You can prepay for a certain number of lessons and receive a discount.

Availability

You also need to find a driving school that works with your schedule. Look at hours of availability to see if the school has openings when you’re not at work or school.

Study Traffic Rules

The amount of traffic rules you have to follow may feel overwhelming at first. However, the more you study and experience them, the easier it will be to naturally follow them.

Take a Written Exam

The written driver’s exam tests your knowledge of operating a vehicle and traffic rules. It may give imaginary scenarios where you choose the best option between several different answers.

It may also feature more direct questions about things like following distance, seatbelt laws, and speed limits in different zones.

Access the Driver’s Handbook Regularly

Having a copy of your state driver’s handbook readily available is a great resource. Keep it in the car whenever you practice driving. If you’re unsure about something, pull over or get somewhere safe and look for clarification.

Conquer Difficult Driving Situations

Driving can present many difficult situations where you have to maneuver the vehicle or make snap decisions.

Parallel Parking

Parallel parking can be tricky, but it’s a useful skill. If you’re nervous about parallel parking, start by pulling over onto an empty stretch of curb and backing up straight.

Give yourself less and less room to adjust the vehicle so you can get a feel for real parallel parking. Then, when you’re ready, try parallel parking in a non-stressful environment.

Merging on the Highway

Driving on the highway can be scary for many drivers. The faster speeds, multiple lanes, and merging tactics of other drivers are all factors that contribute to this fear.

Try to start driving on the highway as soon as you’ve mastered surface street driving. Once you get onto the highway, it may not seem as scary as you imagined. To make it easier, drive during non-peak times when there are fewer cars on the road.

Use These Driving School Tips

Learning to drive does not have to be scary. With this driving school advice, you can drive confidently and feel good behind the wheel.

With over 20 years of service in Davidson and Williamson counties, Brentwood Driver Training is the partner you need for your driver’s education.

Are you ready to get behind the wheel? Reach out to us today to begin your driving journey.