Top 5 Tips for Driving Practice Outside of Lessons
Driving practice is key to passing the driving test in Ireland.
There tends to be a direct relationship between the number of hours spent in driving practice and passing the driving test. The UK’s RAC estimates that the average driver needs about 20 hours of practice before being exam ready.
These extra hours enable you to improve your driving skills and confidence, as well as giving you more exposure to different driving experiences.
For anyone considering private driving practice, here are the Driving Class top tips on how to make the most of this opportunity:
1. Use a friend or family member’s car
If you have access to the car of a friend or a member of your family, take advantage of the opportunity this provides as much as possible.
This kind gesture from your friend or family member will also give you invaluable direct access to their experience as drivers.
Before taking us up on this advice, it’s important to remember that these people are probably not qualified ADIs, so don’t expect them to get everything right first time.
The ultimate aim here is getting enough hours of practice to pass the driving test and this offers a great opportunity to do that.
2. Book an ADI driving instructor
ADI driving instructors can be hired outside of the 12 EDT driving lessons. You can book an ADI instructor and simply tell them that you want to practice to become a better driver.
Thanks to our platform, the process to book an ADI driving instructor has never been easier. You don’t have to book a block of driving lessons, and the booking can be made on an impromptu basis.
Every extra hour you spend practicing driving counts towards a better driving test performance. Book an ADI driving instructor now, and get practising!
3. Observe safe and competent drivers
Okay, so technically this isn’t practice, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important.
Whenever you’re the passenger in the car of somebody that you regard as being a safe and competent driver, use the opportunity to take some learning away, however insignificant it might appear.
Observe what they do at junctions and how they’re always looking at their mirrors.
The best drivers make driving look extremely easy. Observe what they’re doing, try to put it into practice the next time you’re behind the wheel, and you’ll soon be their equal when it comes to quality driving.
4. Make it easy for the accompanying driver
Remember that your goal is to practise, not to grill the person accompanying you on what you should be doing at every step of the driving lesson.
Eighty percent of what they’re supposed to be doing is already provided by them being there with you.
There’s every chance that it has been years since the person last had a driving lesson, so they could be as nervous as you are.
Don’t speed, make risky manoeuvres, or go against what they ask you to do.
Above all, ask them for honest feedback; being open to constructive feedback maximizes your chances of them helping you again in the future.
5. Book a Mock Driving Test
A mock driving test is the best way to practice for the Irish driving test.
Nothing can beat stimulating the real environment of test day and better still if you can practise on some of the test routes.
Avise your driving instructor ahead of time and they may be able to improvise a test score sheet that driving test examiners use.
Best of all, if you take a mock driving test with an unfamiliar driving instructor, you may be able to simulate driving test anxiety.
Closing Remarks
Driving practice is usually what separates those that pass the driving test from those that don’t.
Use every opportunity you get to practise your driving, whether it’s with an ADI or somebody else. And whoever it is, remember to be kind and courteous.
Not only is this good practice, but it also encourages them to help you when you need driving practice again.
Build their feedback and that of the ADI into your driving, and soon you’ll be ready to pass the driving test. Safe driving!
