What to Expect from Your First Driving Lesson

Driving lessons can be a daunting experience, especially if you are only just old enough to drive. Driving a motor vehicle is a huge step up in responsibility and it is always scary to have to tackle something you aren’t used to. To make you feel a little less worried about your driving lessons, here is some idea of what you can expect from your first driving lesson.

Before You Arrive

First and foremost, you’ll want to get a good night’s sleep of course. It will feel like a lot of information coming your way on the day of the lesson so you’ll want to have a fresh mind, allowing you to soak up as much as possible.

Before your lesson, you’ll want to make sure to dress in something comfy, that includes a suitable pair of shoes so that when driving you are completely focused on the car and the road.

Some of you may have had a bit of practice before your first actual lesson with an instructor. This is always a good idea, so we absolutely recommend going out with mum or dad a few times just to familiarise yourself with the car and its various components.

If you haven’t, there is no need to worry, your instructor can, of course, teach you everything you need to know, and will have no problem with starting with a blank slate from which to instruct, in fact, many would prefer it, as no bad habits will have been picked up by the driver.

Meeting Your Instructor

Depending on what you have arranged, your instructor may pick up you up at home or at a location of your choosing such as college or work. Don’t worry, they won’t throw you in the driver’s seat right away.

Once you’ve been collected, you’ll be able to have a short meet and greet, giving you the chance to get to know each other a little. Then you’ll be driven to a quieter, often residential location for your lesson to begin. So no need to panic, no main roads on your first day.

This will generally be the course of action for future lessons until you become proficient enough to drive from home or from your pick up location.

Getting to Grips With Your Car

Once you’ve arrived at the place where your lesson will begin, the instructor will swap seats with you, getting you behind the wheel for the first time.

This is where your instructor will run through the controls of the car, making sure you are happy with how everything works. They will talk you through the clutch, accelerator, and the brake. How to use things like the handbrake, indicators, and changing gears.

Don’t ever feel like you can’t ask questions during this entire process, or be afraid to ask your instructor to repeat certain bits of information. The more questions you ask, the better off you’ll be. This is your lesson, so make sure you are digesting what is being taught.

Heading Out

Now we get to the action itself. Once all the above has been discussed, it will be time to drive. Before you start the engine, however, you will be talked through taking off, and getting ready to use the gears, clutch control, checking your mirrors, when to indicate, moving up and down the gears, stopping the car, etc.

Then in the nice and quiet area that you’ll find yourself in, you’ll begin to drive. It might feel quick at first, even though you won’t be moving fast. The instructor will likely have a pair of pedals himself in the passenger’s seat – giving you peace of mind that you will be safe no matter what.

And then, guess what? You’ll be driving! If you don’t get it at first, don’t worry, everyone operates at a different pace. You will be taken through all the basics, essentially just the traveling from A to B, stopping and starting, etc. Also, do not worry if you stall the car! This is perfectly normal — part and parcel for learner drivers.

If you’re picking things up quickly, you might get asked if you are happy to move onto the open road. However, if you don’t feel comfortable quite yet, that’s no problem. Take things at your pace.

Expert Training

The Northwest Driving School and Traffic School provides the Las Vegas community with live driving and traffic classes taught by seasoned instructors. All of our driving instructors have passed background checks, each automobile is DMV safety-approved and every member of the Northwest family is committed to providing excellent drivers ed and behind the wheel instruction.

At Northwest, you can expect to find outstanding classes, both on campus and behind the wheel, that are engaging, fact-filled, entertaining and geared toward success. We make no bones about it, we believe that Northwest provides the best driving lessons in Las Vegas, no matter your age or background. We are proud of the fact that 98% of our students pass their test on the first try. Call us at (702) 403-1592 to start your driving adventure with one of our expert instructors.

Written by:
Rich Heinrich
Master Instructor, Emeritus