The thought of hitting the road and enjoying the freedom that comes along with driving a car is what motivates most teens to get their driver’s permit. However, that doesn’t mean you’re excited about what it’s going to take to get your license. Learning how to drive can be stressful!
It doesn’t have to be as stressful as it seems!
There are ways to cut back on the stress and make learning how to drive a vehicle more fun.
Study Online
In order to get your learner’s permit and your driver’s license, you have to pass written tests. That means you have to do plenty of studying before you go in to take each test.
Booklets and written materials can help, but reading from a book and making flashcards can get boring fast. If your eyes start to glaze over as soon as you start studying, consider studying online instead.
Studying online for the driver’s test can be a lot more fun because you can take quizzes and review learning materials in seconds instead of searching through a booklet. You can also learn about your mistakes in real time, instead of checking your answers later.
Take Driver’s Ed in the Summer
Learning how to drive in snow and ice is completely different than learning how to drive during nice weather. As a brand-new driver, trying to get your bearings on the road when it’s covered in snow and ice can add stress to an already stressful situation.
Even if you live in an area where snow and ice aren’t an issue in the winter, taking driver’s ed can still be stressful because you’re studying to get your license while you’re also studying for your other classes. For those who are stressed out at school, taking driver’s ed in the fall, winter, or spring is a bad idea.
Instead, take driver’s ed in the summer. Not only do you not have to worry about cold temperatures and inclement weather, you can focus your attention on driving without having to worry about keeping up with your studies in other classes.
Spend More Time Behind the Wheel
Studying and taking classes are important aspects of learning how to drive, but don’t forget about your time behind the wheel! If you’re finding that studying for your license is getting boring, it’s time to put down those flash cards and get in the car.
Driving can be a lot of fun, and it will get more fun and less stressful the more confident you get behind the wheel.
Ask adults at home if you can spend more time driving with them in the evenings. You can also offer to drive the car every time the family has somewhere to go.
If you’re having a hard time finding someone in your family to drive with, ask your driving instructor if there’s any way you can spend more time behind the wheel. They may be willing to create a schedule that gives you more time to hone your skills.
Learn About Your Car
Driving a car can be stressful because it’s a big, mysterious machine. Pull back the curtain on some of that mystery by learning important things about your car.
For example, everyone who drives should know how to change a tire. That includes knowing the PSI on each tire to ensure they are filled with just the right amount of air.
Additional things you should know about cars include:
- How to change your windshield wipers
- How to check your vehicle’s fluid levels
- How to check your headlights and taillights
- Knowing what the lights on the dash mean
- Knowing the make, model, VIN number, and license plate number
You Can Always Retake the Test
For many students, the most stressful part of the learning process is taking the test. That’s especially the case if you’re required to take the driving test in addition to the written test.
Stress a little less by remembering that you can always retake the driving test. Even if you fail the driving test multiple times, you still have the ability to reapply for your driver’s permit and take the test again. You can literally take the test as many times as you want.
There will always be a little stress associated with learning how to drive a car, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be debilitating. With these tips, you can make learning how to drive a lot more fun!