Photo: Emre Kalyoncu / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
Your first driving lesson is mostly about getting to know the car and your instructor, usually somewhere quiet. In Great Britain you need a provisional licence before you drive on the road; in Ireland you need a learner permit before your first EDT lesson. This guide covers what to sort out before the lesson, what normally happens, and the questions worth asking.
Before the lesson: checklist
| Check | Great Britain | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | Provisional driving licence from DVLA | Learner permit from NDLS |
| Instructor | An approved driving instructor (green windscreen badge) or a trainee (pink badge) | An RSA Approved Driving Instructor who displays a valid ADI permit |
| Eyesight | You must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, with glasses or contact lenses if you need them | Meet the eyesight standard checked for your learner permit, and wear any glasses your permit requires |
| Lessons that count | No minimum number of lessons | 12 one-hour EDT lessons are compulsory, recorded in your logbook |
Northern Ireland has its own rules for instructors and learning, including graduated driver licensing. See learning to drive in Northern Ireland.
Also confirm with the instructor
- Where they will pick you up, and how long the lesson is.
- Manual or automatic. See automatic or manual.
- The price, and what happens if you cancel. In GB, instructors set their own prices; there is no minimum or maximum.
- Whether they will check your licence and eyesight at the start (most do).
What to bring and wear
- Your provisional licence or learner permit.
- Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive.
- Comfortable shoes with thin soles that let you feel the pedals.
- Any questions you have written down.
What happens in a first driving lesson?
- Checks: licence and the number plate eyesight check.
- Cockpit drill, parked: doors, seat, steering, seat belt and mirrors, then the pedals, gears, handbrake, indicators, lights and wipers.
- Moving off and stopping: usually on a quiet road. The Highway Code (rule 159) says before moving off, use all mirrors, look round for blind spots, signal if necessary, take a final look round and move off only when it is safe.
- Short drives: steering, speed control and perhaps simple left turns, if you are ready.
- Debrief: what went well and what you will do next time.
Instructors have dual controls and will step in if needed. Ask at the start how they will tell you to stop or take over, so you know what to expect.
How far you drive does not measure how good the lesson was. Understanding the controls is the point.
Questions worth asking
- “How will you record my progress?” In GB, DVSA’s Ready to Pass guidance tracks 27 skills through five levels, from introduced to reflection. In Ireland, EDT lessons are recorded in your logbook.
- “Can I ask you to explain or demonstrate something again?” Agree a simple phrase for “I need that again”.
- “What should I revise before next time?”
- “When should I start private practice?” DVSA suggests starting only when your instructor says you are ready.
Choosing well matters more than the first lesson itself. See questions to ask your instructor.
Common questions
Can I have a driving lesson before my provisional licence arrives?
Not on public roads in GB. You need a valid provisional licence to drive on the road. In Ireland you need your learner permit before starting EDT.
Will I drive on a main road in my first lesson?
Usually not. Most instructors start somewhere quiet and build up.
What if I am very nervous?
Tell the instructor at the start. A good instructor will adjust the pace. See dealing with nerves.
What if I stall?
Almost every learner does. See how to recover from a stall.
How many lessons will I need?
In GB there is no minimum; it depends how quickly you learn. See how many lessons you need. In Ireland, see Essential Driver Training.
Can a friend or parent sit in?
Ask your instructor. Some are happy for a supervisor to watch, which helps them practise the same way with you later.
Start here: learning to drive in Great Britain or learning to drive in Ireland. Related: clutch control.
Sources
- GOV.UK, “Driving lessons and learning to drive: taking driving lessons” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Apply for your first provisional driving licence” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Driving eyesight rules” (gov.uk)
- DVSA, “Learning to drive and practising” (readytopass.campaign.gov.uk)
- DVSA, “Keep track of your progress learning to drive” (readytopass.campaign.gov.uk)
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)” (gov.uk)
- Road Safety Authority, “Find an Approved Driving Instructor” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Car driving lessons (EDT)” (rsa.ie)