Five years ago to the day....I passed my practical driving test, first time. Some hopefully helpful tips below.

Five years! This has got me thinking. I can remember soaking up as much information as possible, from so many sources to help with the test and subsequent driving career. Below are my top tips. I hope they help.

  • Don't be afraid to change driving instructors - at one point I had two on the go (I felt like I was cheating on them LOL) but eventually dropped to one, as one of them was wildly unreliable
  • There is nothing wrong with driving an automatic car. Don't let anyone tell you there is.
  • If possible, get your own car and practice as much as you can. My husband and I went out every single weekend and this practice was invaluable. With him, I learned how to deal with so many challenging situations (right turns - when he sussed I hated right turns, we did so many LOL)
  • Watch mock tests and information videos on YouTube - there are hundreds and I think I learned something from everyone I watched
  • The banana trick works.
  • The test isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. I have honestly had harder lessons. Which brings me to...
  • When it gets rough and you are nervous and you've had a couple of bad lessons, don't give up. Learning to drive isn't a linear process and you will have good days and bad days.
  • You will make mistakes - on the way to my test, I nearly ran a red light. I wanted to cancel there and then.
  • When you pass your test go for a drive alone as soon as possible. Make it easy and drive a familiar route but don't wait because that first solo drive will be scary so get it over with
  • Also...hit the motorway with a calm, experienced driver as soon as possible. It is scary at first (helps if you can find one that has an extra lane as the merging lane to start with) but it does get easier and I now choose the motorway if it's an option.
  • Remember when you are driving solo, you are entirely responsible for you, your car and the safety of other road users. I got stuck in a really tight car park once and had to do a 45 point turn to get out - but I did get out. Stay calm and use your head.
  • Use Google maps to check out new routes and potential parking spots.
  • Remember - it's just a road. Google maps once directed me from South Croydon to Enfield via London rather than the M25 in rush hour when I was a new driver. It was scary, but telling myself that they are just roads really helped and I made it!
  • You might have an accident. Don't beat yourself up - learn from it. I totalled the passenger side of my (brand new) car eighteen months after passing, then drove into someone else the following day. I learned from my mistakes and haven't had an accident since.
  • If the gap looks too small - hang back because it probably is

Learning to drive at 50 was, for me, absolutely life changing. I love my car and I love the freedom it gives me. Good luck!