*Learner Driver Experiences + Insurance

Monday, July 15, 2019
Image from Pinterest
Today's post is all about my experiences of learning to drive, being a learner driver and some of the main points I've experienced as someone who learned to drive fairly recently in the UK. This time of the year reminds me of learning to drive as three years ago during the summer I was learning to drive so I'm always reminded of the anxiety and nervousness that I experienced as a learner driver during the summer months.

Finding An Instructor & First Lesson 
Firstly, before you start looking for an instructor or driving school, you need to pass your theory test which in the UK is a multiple choice test and to be honest, I found it to be incredible easy and I passed first time - if your test is coming up or if you're planning it, don't worry! After you have passed, you'll need to research for the best driving instructor in your area and while online reviews are great, I think that word of mouth and personal reviews are best.

I went to the same instructor as a friend of mine and it turned out to be the best option for me as he was quite firm but fair. My instructor threw me into the deep end for my first lesson which I wasn't expecting but it took away a lot of my initial nervousness - I drove home on my first lesson!

Top Tips: Personal recommendations for driving instructors are so useful and if you don't like your instructor then don't be worried to switch! Also I would personally recommend a crash course as I had all of my lessons within eight days which I found to be very effective.

Failing 
I failed my first practical driving test with six minors which wasn't too bad and thankfully I didn't feel upset about it as I knew that passing first time round isn't very common. Out of my family and friends who can drive, only my dad passed on his first test so I think remembering that helped me feel less upset and disappointed. Also, I failed because I drove down a side street I shouldn't have but the sign was partly obscured by trees so I felt as though it wasn't fully my fault...excuses, excuses.

Top Tips: Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be the best driver imaginable and don't think that you NEED to pass first time round as it isn't very common to pass on your first try.

Insurance & Practicing
After failing my test I started the process of looking for another test which took SO much longer than I thought it would so I ended up buying four months of learner driver insurance while I was waiting for the right time slot to come up for myself and my instructor. I was lucky enough to be able to practice for months in my dads little Renault Clio (which was the perfect learner driver car) and I think that the experience of practicing with learner insurance definitely helped me to become a better driver and more confident in my abilities.

Top Tips: Practicing with learner driver insurance is a fantastic way of becoming more confident, practicing the necessary manoeuvres and thankfully it isn't very expensive. Unlike other forms of insurance, learner driver insurance is quite flexible in terms of the time frame which is ideal if you are practicing while waiting for a test slot to come up, as I was.

Can you drive? If so, do you have any learner driver tips? 

*gifted/sponsored 

16 comments

  1. I think finding the right instructor is key. You need to be comfortable with them xx

    Beautylymin

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really need to start up my lessons again. I'm just nervous about finding a new instructor after not really loving my last one! x

    Tiffany x www.foodandotherloves.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hated learning to drive and when I was on my pre-test lesson was hit by a lorry which went the wrong way round a roundabout... it put me off and I’ve never tried again x

    ReplyDelete
  4. The right instructor is key and having confidence x

    ReplyDelete
  5. I passed my test when I was 18 but failed it twice x

    Jenny
    http://www.jennyinneverland.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a useful post for new drivers.

    https://littlemissmelanie.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I didn't do my test until quite late - I think I was around 25 as I lived in cities until this and didn't really need to! I remember it being expensive x

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've started and stopped learning to drive a few times and it's getting a bit annoying. I do want to drive but I don't trust the others on the road and I wouldn't be able to afford a car anyways so...yeah! xD

    Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can't even remember my lessons anymore to be honest! :O

    Erin || MakeErinOver

    ReplyDelete
  10. Insurance can literally be so much sometimes!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

    ReplyDelete
  11. Finding the right instructor for you can be such a deal breaker. I got learner insurance and it contributed towards my no claims before passing too so it makes things cheaper in the long run X

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm learning to drive at the moment :) hoping my test is on the cards by Autumn!

    Jasmine xx



    Jasmine Talks Beauty

    ReplyDelete
  13. I passed my test within 12 weeks of starting...and within the first 2 days I drove down to Bournemouth to see my Dad which is about 2 hours from where i live. If I hadn't done that I wouldn't have been as confident
    Em x

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really liked my instructor but I gave up my lessons when I fell pregnant as it was making me incredibly anxious and unwell.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This was a reminder I should really start looking into learning to drive.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I loved learning to drive - best thing I ever did as a teen x

    ReplyDelete

Please don’t leave any spam comments or links - thanks!

I’m no longer accepting any sponsored posts or freelance work at all and for the time being, I’m not accepting products to review so please don’t contact me about any of those, thank you! x