THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE PASSING MY DRIVING TEST

Passing my driving test back in June has honestly been one of the most freeing things I have ever done. The independence is amazing, I can take the girls to school without stressing about buses, do the food shop when I want instead of relying on delivery slots and go to the cinema without worrying about the taxi fare there and back.

But here’s the truth: passing your test and actually learning to drive are two very different things. Driving lessons prepare you for the test, but real life behind the wheel teaches you a whole lot more. There are so many little everyday situations no one warns you about. 

HOW TO LET SOMEONE OUT

I see this all the time. In the beginning, when I wanted to let another driver out of a side road, I would flap my hand around like a fish out of water. Safe to say, I got a few odd stares! Now I know you don’t need to overdo it. Just slow down clearly, leave a nice big gap, and if you can, make eye contact. A small hand wave is more than enough — no need for the dramatic fish dance.

DE-MIST THE WINDOWS

Autumn mornings hit me like a surprise. If you learn to drive in summer, you won’t even think about this until one day you can’t see a thing out of your windscreen and full blown panic sets in. Been there! Switch on your A/C, direct the airflow to the windows, and crack the window open a little. You will be clear in minutes. Trust me, it’s way less scary once you know what to do.

HOW TO PUT PETROL IN YOUR CAR

This was one of the scariest “firsts” for me. My instructor never mentioned it, and the first time I pulled up at a petrol station, I was terrified of overfilling the tank. But don’t panic, you physically can’t overfill it. The pump automatically clicks and stops when your tank is full. Easy once you know, but intimidating the first time around.

WHAT LIGHTS ARE FOR WHAT

This one had me completely muddled. I once drove halfway to school with my main beams on without realising. Here’s the quick guide I wish I had:

• Sidelights → dull but not dark.

• Headlights → normal dark conditions.

• Full beams → unlit country roads (switch them off when another car approaches).

• Fog lights → when visibility is really poor.

It takes a bit of practice, but it soon becomes second nature.

DRIVE-THRUS

Honestly, this should be part of the test! Trying to squeeze round tight corners, lean out to the speaker, pay without dropping your card and collect food all while moving forward, it’s a lot. My advice is to go slow, don’t rush, and watch your mirrors. 

PARKING PRACTICE

Parallel parking during your test is one thing, but squeezing into a supermarket car park with a queue of cars behind you is another. Other drivers aren’t always patient, which makes it even more stressful. If a space looks too tight, just move on. It’s better to walk a little further than to scrape your car in a rush.

MOTORWAY DRIVING

In the UK, you don’t actually drive on a motorway during your test. So that first time joining one is going to be an experience. I will be driving to Halloween Farm in a few weeks and I am slightly dreading it, but I know I have got this. I will check my mirrors constantly, and not sit in the middle lane unless I am going to overtake. Confidence will come with practice, but the first time is definitely going to be a nerve-wracker.

HOW TO PUMP YOUR TYRES UP

This completely threw me the first time. You pull up at the air machine and suddenly you are faced with buttons, numbers, and a hose that looks like it belongs in a science lab. Here’s the simple version:

1. Check your tyre pressures (in your manual).

2. Set the number on the machine.

3. Unscrew the valve cap (and don’t lose it!).

4. Push the hose on firmly, you’ll hear a hiss as it inflates or deflates.

5. Wait for the beep, then remove the hose.

6. Screw the cap back on.

It’s easy once you’ve done it, and it makes such a difference. Correct tyre pressure keeps you safe, saves you money on fuel, and makes your tyres last longer.

Passing your test is just the beginning. The real learning starts the moment you’re out there on your own. From figuring out how to let someone out without flapping like a fish, to working out how to use a petrol pump, every little challenge makes you a better driver, I promise.

If you are a new driver like me, don’t panic when something crops up that you weren’t taught. Take it slow, figure it out, and you’ll soon wonder why you ever worried, and honestly, the freedom is worth every single one of those first-time nerves.