Just a driving lesson

As a driving instructor, it's something that I hear quite often "It's only a driving lesson!"

That's the value that some people put on learning to drive safely, so you don't contribute to the 5 people that  die every day on UK roads. 

But even if we step back from road accidents and fatalities for a moment. The most recent time that was said to me was in the comments of a TikTok video a created, offering advice on finding the right driving instructor. 

You can find the video here.

Basically the video was suggesting that you don't have to settle for the first driving instructor you come across. If you don't get on with your first driving instructor, then move on to a different one. Yes, I fully understand that you want to pass you driving test as soon as possible, but working with someone who isn't right for you could actually take you longer. 

Not just that though, I don't think I'd want to spend time and money doing something that I didn't enjoy because of the person that was teaching me! 


You could even arrange two or three different instructors and see which one suited you the most. But the biggest tip I would say, is to do some actual research on the instructor. Look at reviews. Do that just say 'Good driving instructor' or do the go deeper and actually discuss what the driving lessons looked like? 

Are you particularly anxious? If so, you may want to look for a driving school that has experience is dealing with nervous students. Perhaps you require some additional help with the theory test. If you do, search for a driving instructor who offers support in that area.

When I hear people talk about it being just a driving lesson, I cringe. 

It's different for everyone. Some people embrace learning to drive and really want to get stuck in. Others pick up the skill naturally and have no nerves at all. Both are fine, there's no right or wrong. But when learning to drive you're learning how to keep people safe on the roads. That's the core premise of it. Especially now the Highway Code has been changed to incorporate a hierarchy of road users. 

Driving lessons are as important as you make them. 

You may as well make them important, the consequences can be disastrous. 

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