Driving Tips for Beginners by Renell Pacrin
When I was young, one of my dreams is to learn how to drive. But then, after realizing the financial considerations of having your own car, I thought it is more of a liability, than an asset. But then again, when my very first niece (Travel with Karla) was born, accompanying my sister to bring my niece to pediatric check-ups, gave me a second thought. Commuting with an infant, carrying baby stuff, umbrella, etc., and my niece accidentally hit by another passenger on her delicate head, is quite a nightmare.
I have decided to pursue my dream to learn how to drive, even though we do not have a car. We had our first car when Mima’s princess was in her 3rd grade. I was able to drive when she was in her 8th grade. My husband taught me how to drive, I have to shuttle our daughter to/from school when he is away. I told myself this is it, I will finally learn and practice how to drive!
My eagerness to learn how to drive is not only for the reason that I would like to go to places, but to learn and have another skill and to be able to help in an unavoidable, unexpected circumstances. It did served me and my family well, during special occasions, school activities, and most especially when we have to rush my husband in the hospital. It also made me to be a more responsible pedestrian. If you are behind the wheel, getting irritated with undisciplined pedestrians is a challenge.
Driving Tips for Beginners
If you are interested to learn how to drive, here are some of the helpful things which I have experienced and learned:
1. Be Confident.
After my first day of two-hour driving lessons, I was so exhausted, felt so unnerved. I am not prepared to drive in an instant, in the highway, in the narrow, busy street with huge crowd of pedestrians. The driving instructor was very supportive and built my confidence. Hence, the second day went well. I guess it is normal to be nervous, even so, you have to be confident at all times.
2. Have Presence of Mind.
In driving, all your senses must be in excellent condition. Not all drivers, even professional, experienced, car racers, can avoid accident. Presence of mind, defense driving, will come handy. I hit a vehicle twice, a bus during night driving, which I didn’t noticed/felt, and a side mirror of a truck, in broad day light, slow traffic. I admit, no matter how cautious I was, my presence of mind did not sufficed.
3. Practice.
Skills should be polished, practiced. Some people have innate exemplary abilities to learn and maintain their skills even without practice. However, as the saying goes, “practice makes it perfect”. Even if you’re in a perfect state to drive, have a good reflex, but you haven’t driven for a while, you can feel and experience a difference. Give it a time, a refresher course, if necessary, will be helpful.
4. Sign Up for Driving Lessons.
While you can save costs if a relative or a friend will teach you how to drive, bear in mind that only authorized driving instructors are allowed to do so. Your relative or friend might be experienced and professional drivers, however, there lessons that you will only learn from driving schools. As I have mentioned, one of them is confidence-builder. Constructive criticism helps while learning and boost self-confidence. If your relative or friend is nervous while teaching you, it will somehow make you feel nervous as well. There are also instances that they are teaching you their driving techniques but you will be uncomfortable, end up arguing, and disappointed.
Having driving skills and our own car gave Mima’s Homey numerous advantages, especially when our daughter is in grade school, and much greater when she was in high school. It became essential to our lives and also helped in our finances (vehicle for rent). The most important and unforgettable things I have learned from driving came from our daughter – “Mommy, Dad told me to stay awake each time you’re driving me to/from school. But me, sleeping while traveling with you will make you drive much more cautious. You will deeply regret if I will die in an accident sleeping.” A lesson and a threat indeed!
Renell D. Pacrin, Mima’s Homey
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About the Author:
Renell A. Dela Cruz – Pacrin is a development worker (support staff) for seventeen years who loves to cook and bake. She earned a degree in Secretarial Administration and passed the NC II (National Certificate) in Bread and Pastry Production. During her free time, she bakes cookies, cakes, and pastries, mostly for her lovely daughter’s packed snacks, family occasions, and sometimes made to order. Currently self-employed, she focuses more on her spouse’ van rental business, home duties, exploring handicrafts, and taking care of the homey.
yes, these tips are essential with people who are learning how to drive. having formal driving lesson is good but if you have somebody to teach you who has really the experience on driving then much better
There’s a lot of benefits when you know how to drive especially if it is during an emergency. It is also essential in our daily life if you know how to drive and you have your own vehicle. It will save a lot of time. Thank you so much for sharing this tips. This was indeed helpful and informative.
Thanks for sharing this Ate Karla, This is what I Need Now, truly having a Confident is one of the most important things being a Driver, and You have a presence of Mind too, para patuloy maging Ligtas, At more Pratice for being a Professional, and lastly kailngan may License ka talaga para pwede kang magTravel san ka man Pmunta … all this tips was so Helpful and nice..
I once signed up for driving classes and had completed the course too. But, lack of practice had resulted in forgetting how to drive now! Haha! So, regular practice is important.