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Driving lessons

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Learn to drive quickly and easily with our 10 tips to getting the most from your driving lessons...

  1. Be prepared before you start learning
    • Before your first driving lesson, get familiar with The Highway Code. This will give you a good understanding of the rules of the road before you get behind the wheel.
      You can also learn to use a car's controls and other basic skills like steering and changing gear on a BSM Driving Simulator before you take your first lesson.
      To find your nearest BSM Driving Simulator
      call BSM on 0845 851 9571 or
      use the online centre locator
  2. Find the right instructor
    • To enjoy your lessons and maximise the chances of passing your driving test, choose an instructor who you're comfortable and happy learning with.
      Anyone over the age of 21 who has had a driving licence for 3 years can teach you to drive.
      If you're not lucky enough to have a friend or relative that can teach you, you can take driving lessons from any driving instructor who's licensed by the Driving Standards Agency.
      BSM can help find the right person to make sure you get the most from your lessons, and can even find instructors who speak other languages if required.
  3. Choose manual or automatic
    • You can learn to drive and take your test on a manual or automatic car.

      Automatic cars can make learning to drive easier for some, but if you take your driving test on an automatic car your driving licence won't entitle you to drive a manual one. Passing the test in a manual also entitles you to drive an automatic.
  4. Wear the right footwear
    • It's easier to feel and control the pedals wearing comfortable shoes. Heavy boots can make it hard to perfect driving techniques and heels will get scuffed and give you less control.
  5. Get a good night's sleep
    • Make sure you are fresh and ready to learn when your instructor arrives. You'll get much more from your lesson if you try to:

      minimise the amount of alcohol you drink the night before
      avoid a late night before a lesson
  6. Learn at the right pace
    • Book a minimum of a 2-hour lesson a week when you start learning to drive.
      As you progress you may find that 2 or more lessons a week suit you better. Ask your instructor for advice.
  7. Practise between lessons
    • The average learner needs 20 hours of practice to pass the driving test, in addition to 45 hours of driving lessons. Once you've started learning, ask your instructor for advice about when you are ready to start practising between lessons.

      You can practice driving between lessons while accompanied by anyone who:is over 21 years old
      has held a full British driving licence for at least 3 years
  8. If you're in a hurry, take an intensive course
    • If you want to pass your driving test before a certain time - before you go to college, for instance - consider an intensive course from BSM.
      It's possible to learn to drive in anything from a week to a couple of months, but be warned - this approach takes hard work and a lot of dedication.
      Book a BSM intensive course online
      Or for more information call BSM on 0845 851 9571.
  9. Study for the theory test while you learn to drive
    • Studying theory and practice at the same time makes learning both easier.
      If you take driving lessons with BSM your instructor can help you by showing how the theory that you've learned applies in practice during your lessons.
      They'll also be able to advise you if you might benefit from any of the BSM materials designed to help you learn to drive and pass the tests more easily.
  10. Got a disability? BSM Mobility can help you
    • If you have a disability, learn with a driving school that that can cater to your needs.

      BSM has around 200 dedicated BSM Mobility instructors who are experts in specially tailored tuition for people with disabilities, in cars fitted with special adaptations.

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