Can you learn to drive in a month?

By Viv
Newbie

learn to drive

If you’re a teen, then you’re likely rearing to go on a drive on your own. If you’re older than that, perhaps in your 30’s or even middle aged, you may want to take things a little easier and get used to the vehicle you’re driving properly before speeding off on your own, you may even want to get your driving skills updated or improved

Learning to drive basically depends from person to person. Its about how comfortable they are with the learning curve. Like everything else, learning to drive needs practice to get it right. Generally, a month of learning might not be adequate to get used to the vehicle, hone your skills and navigate across busy city roads. Lets look at some factors that will help you achieve your driving skills within a reasonable time frame.

In Melbourne, learning to drive as we know it, is a 5 stage process prior to getting your full licence (Pre learner, learner stage, P1 provisional licence, P2 provisional licence and the full licence). Before going in to get your full licence, you are required to have at least 120 hours of supervised driving, along with 20 hours of night driving. A vital point to remember, supervised driving means you are required to be in the company of an already qualified driver or instructor with a valid licence and seated in the passenger seat at all times during your time at the wheel. It could be your instructor or a parent, relative even a  friend. The supervising driver will obviously have an unblemished driving record to prove their merit

Once you’re comfortable with the preliminaries of the car such as, starting, stopping, gear changing and clutch balancing (in manual gear cars), you will be considered competent to drive the car. Something that most do not realize is the fact that driving has many perspectives than we realize. And this is what takes most of a learner’s time when they are getting trained. Throwing the car in to gear, getting into motion and moving into flowing traffic, while it seems to be all of it, there are many little factors that add that finer touch to your skill as a driver. Lets look at some of those finer touches that a learner driver can adopt.

Be a safety conscious and courteous driver

Always use your signals when making a turn. Gives you and other drivers time to get ready for your maneuver.

  • Don’t let delays and road rage get to you. Keep enough time to reach your destination and also a cool head. Remember, all other drivers may not be as tolerant as you. And it doesn’t say you’ve got to be like them either. So keep cool at all times.
  • Be courteous and patient with Senior Citizens. They may not have the reflexes to make quick decisions and may need a second or more to make a turn. Let them take their time. Horning at them or being rude only makes you look bad. On the flip side, remember you will also be their age someday. So be kind.
  •  If you drive a large vehicle, be even more careful. Not only does the size of the vehicle matter when it comes to safety, but also it takes up more space on the road. You may unintentionally be blocking an otherwise clear street. Be mindful therefore.

Basic techniques are very important

  •  Drive smoothly. Jerky and sudden movements on the steering wheel won’t go well with the passenger or the vehicle. For a comfortable ride, learn the art of clutch balancing, starting from a stop position and proper gear changing techniques. This will give you, your passengers and of course your car a comfortable experience from start to finish.
  • Drive with both hands always on the wheel. You may see some drivers relaxing with just one hand on the wheel. As a trainee, this highly discouraged. And as an experienced driver, still you stand the risk of meeting with an accident, when you need to make a sudden turn in an emergency and only one hand is available at that very specific time.
  • When weather turns bad, always switch on your park or fog lights. This will help other drivers see you early even in low visibility situations.

Although this seems a lot to get through, once you have mastered your driving, it will be second nature and you will hardly worry keeping these in mind.  Hopefully, this will give you insight and a time line that will help to get you through that impatient wait to start driving. Contact our team at DOS Driving to start the process today, or book a lesson online! Keep safe and wish you all the very best!  

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