Practising driving between lessons is essential for improving your skills, building confidence, and getting ready for your driving test. While professional lessons are important, private practice outside of your lessons will reinforce what you’ve learned and help you become more comfortable behind the wheel.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to practise driving between lessons, particularly for learners in Bristol. We’ll cover how to get the most out of your practice sessions, what to focus on, and the benefits of practising regularly.
1. Drive Regularly in a Variety of Conditions
One of the best ways to become a confident driver is to practise regularly in different driving conditions. While your instructor will guide you through various road types and weather conditions during lessons, practising on your own helps solidify these skills.
If possible, aim to drive at different times of the day and in a variety of weather conditions:
- Day and Night Driving: Practising during the day is important, but don’t forget to try night-time driving too. Driving in the dark requires different skills, such as adjusting to reduced visibility and the glare of headlights from oncoming cars.
- Driving in Bad Weather: While Bristol can often experience rainy weather, it’s good to get comfortable driving in rain, fog, or other poor conditions. This will help you adjust your speed, increase your following distance, and handle reduced traction on wet roads.
Driving in different conditions will prepare you for real-world driving and make you more adaptable in future situations.
2. Focus on Areas You Find Challenging
Private practice is an excellent opportunity to work on the areas where you feel less confident. Whether it’s roundabouts, parallel parking, or maintaining lane discipline, identifying areas that need improvement will make your practice more productive.
- Roundabouts: Bristol is known for its roundabouts, and many learners find these tricky at first. Practising navigating roundabouts, especially larger ones like those near Warwick Road or the A46, will help you gain confidence in judging gaps in traffic, signalling correctly, and maintaining your lane.
- Manoeuvres: If your lessons have included manoeuvres such as bay parking, reversing around a corner, or the three-point turn, make sure you practise these during your private sessions. Parking is often a challenging area for learners, so practising in quieter car parks will help you master these essential skills.
Your instructor will highlight areas that need extra practice, so use this feedback to structure your private sessions.
3. Practise Driving on Test Routes
Familiarising yourself with Bristol’s driving test routes can significantly boost your confidence and help you feel more comfortable on the day of your test. While you won’t know the exact route in advance, practising on roads near the test centre can reduce anxiety.
- Visit the Test Centre Area: Spend time driving around the Bristol test centre location and nearby roads. The test routes may include various challenges, such as multi-lane roundabouts, busy junctions, and narrow residential streets.
- Tackle Key Road Features: Practice driving on roads with features commonly found on test routes, such as dual carriageways (e.g., the A45 or A444), merging onto faster-moving traffic, and performing emergency stops.
By practising in these areas, you’ll be better prepared for the specific conditions you might face during your driving test.
4. Use a Supervising Driver
To practise driving between lessons, you’ll need to drive with a qualified supervisor. This person must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have held a full UK driving licence for at least three years.
Driving with a supervising driver is a great way to gain experience outside of professional lessons. However, they must remain calm and provide guidance without taking over or making you feel anxious. The supervising driver’s role is to help you stay safe and offer advice, but they’re not expected to teach you in the way a professional instructor would.
Make sure you agree on the goals of your practice session before you start and work on one area at a time.
5. Set Clear Goals for Each Practice Session
It’s easy to hop in the car and just drive around aimlessly, but that won’t give you the targeted practice you need to improve your skills. Instead, set clear goals for each practice session to ensure you’re focusing on specific skills.
- Decide What to Practise: If you’ve been struggling with junctions or maintaining a steady speed on faster roads, make that the focus of your session. It’s better to spend time working on one area than trying to cover too many different skills in one session.
- Track Your Progress: After each practice session, take a few minutes to reflect on what you did well and what you need to improve. This will help you identify what to focus on next time and build a sense of accomplishment.
Discuss your practice sessions with your instructor during lessons, so they can guide you on what to work on and offer advice on improving.
6. Take Breaks When Needed
Learning to drive can be intense, especially when practising between lessons. It’s important to know when to take a break, particularly if you’re feeling overwhelmed or tired.
If you’re practising in Bristol’s busy areas, such as the city centre or ring road, traffic can be demanding, so taking breaks is essential to staying focused and alert. A break will help you process what you’ve learned and come back to your practice feeling refreshed and ready to continue.
Final Thoughts
Practising driving between lessons is a great way to improve your skills, build confidence, and get ready for your test. By focusing on challenging areas, using a supervising driver, and driving on test routes, you can make the most of your practice sessions in Bristol. Remember to set clear goals, practise regularly, and review your progress with your instructor. With dedication and targeted practice, you’ll be well on your way to passing your driving test!
