Learning to Drive!

[ZrByte]

Ok im finally starting to take my driving lessons, and im wondering if any of you fine people have any advice, online resources and experiences you can share to help me through.

I wont be starting my lessons until payday (Last week in January I think) so I have plenty of time to prepare for my First lesson. Ive bought the DSA Theory test practice software to help me get my highway code upto standard and I have been riding a motorbike (Scooter if you prefer, automatic) so I have some raod sense. however more help if you have it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance people

[Xaccers]

When going from a major road into a minor road, use 2nd
When going from a minor road into a major road, use 1st

Drive under the speed limit by about 5 minutes.
If you see any bad driving from others, point it out and say people like that shouldn't be on the road, or that you think it's best to let the idiots pass you (note, if the bad driving is the same as yours, best not mention it!)

Going through trafficlights at a crossroads, change down gear to show that you know to be ready incase anything happens, so you're in a more responsive gear.

Move your mirrors slightly so that you have to move your head to look in them. If the examiner doesn't see you looking, he'll assume you aren't.

Relax! Remember that the worst that can happen is you fail and resit (unless of course you crash or mow down an old lady)

[Sociable]

Sounds like you are thinking ahead well so I suspect you will do fine with the learning side, but good luck and "God making due progress" to you anyway.

One small tip given the other thread running right now try to avoid driving in Theodoric's way if friends and relations help by giving you some extra "road" time later in your learning.

We don't want him geting too upset it's bad for him.

That said, like Theo, I think it makes sense to leave lessons to the professionals as despite the cost it is way way cheaper than a divorce should a spouse be the person that tries to help LOL

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Ok im finally starting to take my driving lessons, and im wondering if any of you fine people have any advice, online resources and experiences you can share to help me through.

I wont be starting my lessons until payday (Last week in January I think) so I have plenty of time to prepare for my First lesson. Ive bought the DSA Theory test practice software to help me get my highway code upto standard and I have been riding a motorbike (Scooter if you prefer, automatic) so I have some raod sense. however more help if you have it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance people

get an instructor by reccomendation , not just any old one out of the yellow pages

[ZrByte]

Relax! Remember that the worst that can happen is you fail and resit (unless of course you crash or mow down an old lady)

get an instructor by reccomendation , not just any old one out of the yellow pages

The only problem with this is that the only reccomendations I have had so far.....

One lives in Northwich (Too far for me to travel just to have a lesson, thats a 30min drive BTW)
One only Teaches Ladies
One was murdered a year ago


Now a question about Gears....
I know how to change Gears, the one thing that confuses me though is when to change them? Ive been told its when the engine reaches a certain number of Revs but I dont know how many is that even true at all or should you just change when the engine starts struggling or something ???

[paulyoung666]

a very difficult question to answer , change up to early and the car will struggle , change down when you are going to fast and the pistons might pop out and say hello , along with the oil , seriously your instructor will keep you right on that one

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

a very difficult question to answer , change up to early and the car will struggle , change down when you are going to fast and the pistons might pop out and say hello , along with the oil , seriously your instructor will keep you right on that one

lol

Something else to look forward to I see

[Nugget]

I passed my test a couple of years ago, and asked my instructor the same question.

He told me that you can't really change gear on the number of revs, as it'll be different for each car. Also, the car I learnt in had a rev counter, but the one that I own hasn't!

The best bet is just to let your instructor (whoever it ends up being!) explain it properly - I know that sounds like a cop out, but I'd never driven at all before my first lesson and was alright with knowing when to change gear after only a couple.

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Nugget

I passed my test a couple of years ago, and asked my instructor the same question.

He told me that you can't really change gear on the number of revs, as it'll be different for each car. Also, the car I learnt in had a rev counter, but the one that I own hasn't!

The best bet is just to let your instructor (whoever it ends up being!) explain it properly - I know that sounds like a cop out, but I'd never driven at all before my first lesson and was alright with knowing when to change gear after only a couple.

Not a cop out at all at least I know I dont need to worry about it too much until I start my lessons, thanks

I never realised it was a vehicle dependant thing though it does make sense.

[Flubflow]

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Now a question about Gears....
I know how to change Gears, the one thing that confuses me though is when to change them? Ive been told its when the engine reaches a certain number of Revs but I dont know how many is that even true at all or should you just change when the engine starts struggling or something ???

You need to know why and then you will usually know when.
Consult your instructor.

[paulyoung666]

this may sound obvious but make sure your eyesight is upto the job

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

this may sound obvious but make sure your eyesight is upto the job

Perfect 20:20 vision, unless Im at work and I think thats due to the lighting was upto standard when I took my CBT for my Bike, need to read a liscence plate at 60 something feet, was really easy even though I was knackered and I was falling asleep on my feet.

[Dave Stones]

the gear thing, i was taught to listen to the sound of the engine and look at my speed in different situations as for when to change. eg on the flat 1st>2nd is about 15mph, then about 22mph 2nd>3rd, then if i need to go into 4th do it at about 30mph. and so forth. he hold me fof for putting it in 5th when we were on a clear national limit road...

Originally Posted by xaccers

Drive under the speed limit by about 5 minutes

eh? does that mean get there 5 minutes later than you would, by 5 minutes (angle measurement on the speedo, difficult if its a digital readout) or what?

another pointer is make sure your seat is right, makes a hell of a difference if you have long legs a la dave. doing things is hard if your knees rub the steering wheel...

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by Dave Stones

another pointer is make sure your seat is right, makes a hell of a difference if you have long legs a la dave. doing things is hard if your knees rub the steering wheel...

That's a very good point - I'm 6 foot 5 and was fine when I was learning in the Peugeot 206, but I could only afford a Fiat Seicento when I bought my car, so now I spend most of the time with my knees resting on the engine, never mind the steering wheel

Originally Posted by Nugget

That's a very good point - I'm 6 foot 5 and was fine when I was learning in the Peugeot 206, but I could only afford a Fiat Seicento when I bought my car, so now I spend most of the time with my knees resting on the engine, never mind the steering wheel

LOL - it's true - he doesn't so much, get in the car, as perform origami

Wheras I am 5' 4" and can only see the bonnet when I get out