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Persistence Pays Off: Learner Driver Tips

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Author: Robin Piggott

Learning to Drive presents many challenges all of which can be overcome by persistence and yet more persistence. Understanding the underlying principles of each manoeuvre should be the strating point. Without knowing the reason why we do something a certain way behind the wheel will inevitably prolong the time it takes to master the basics.

Most new novice drivers will find that they are able to cope quite well with most manoeuvres but there will always be some that they find daunting perhaps even impossible to begin with! The most important factor in overcoming the apparent inability to master a particular exercise is that each manoeuvre must be broken down into separate stages each with its own goal.

Understanding that to succeed with a complex skill requires knowledge of the principles involved and the reasons why such a manoeuvre must be carried out in a particular way. Once you understand the key principles of any manoeuvre your persistence in your practise sessions will dictate whether or not you will quickly master the skill.

For example selecting too high a gear for a tricky, low speed manoeuvre such as a mini roundabout will invariably turn to disaster rather quickly. Analysing the key principles of positioning, steering, speed and observation will quickly give you the answer as to how best to carry out this most difficult of set pieces.

Too fast and you won't be able to observe adequately. Too fast and your positioning will be all over the shop. Too fast and your steering will be severely compromised especially on the exit of the roundabout. So now you have established that it is your speed that dictates whether this manoeuvre will be completed satisfactorily you can decide which gear best meets the needs. Will it be Second gear or First? The size and visibility quotient of the particular roundabout will dictate your choice.

We have talked a lot about the need for planning when it comes to preparing for the driving test but one of the major problems for learner drivers is that they come to a roadblock with certain manoeuvres. Let's face it we all have different skills which manifest themselves in different ways when it comes to Driving.

Everyone learns at a different rate but that doesn't mean that a driver who takes longer to master a particular skill is not going to make a superb and skilful Driver eventually. Slower learners will make excellent Drivers given time and determination and possibly even better and safer than the person who seems initially to be more skilful.

It is human nature to want to give up a task if no progress is being made or if it's painfully slow and perhaps come back to it at a later stage. This is not the best solution when it comes to driving. Hoping that you are not going to need a particular skill and just keeping your fingers crossed is a dangerous philosophy.

A much better solution is to realise that it may take longer than you had envisaged mastering a specific manoeuvre and just accepting this fact and practise, practise, practise! If it is going to take thirty or forty attempts to get, for example your reversing manoeuvres up to a satisfactory standard, then do it!

I promise you that the end result will be worth it and you will be a much better driver for having used the philosophy of Persistence. Once you have achieved a level of competence in a previously difficult exercise, you will never have difficulty again in facing up to a Driving Challenge.

The following paragraph should be read and digested several times. It is by on of the early American Presidents...Calvin Coolidge:-

Persistence.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The Slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race!

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Persistence Pays Off: Learner Driver Tips