Learning To Drive As An Older Person
Feeling a little old to start driving ?
It’s never too late and you’re certainly not alone. Although it’s more common for people to start learning young it’s certainly not uncommon for people to take up driving a little later in life. Learning to drive opens up so many opportunities in life, as well as creating new found freedom and confidence no matter what age.
Although learning that little later in life may be a little more challenging and can often feel overwhelming, statistics show there has been a significant rise in leaner older adults. Statistics show there has been a 4% increase in learner drivers over 70 and gaining a full UK license in less than 12 months.
Why Do People Learn To Drive Later in Life?
There are a number of reasons someone may decide that driving later in life is for them. Some of the main reasons people decided to book their first lesson a little later is simply because they previously didn’t have the financial resources, or they had family members to chauffeur them around. Learning to drive unlocks and creates so many opportunities so let’s take a look at main reasons someone may take up driving later in life.
Unlock New Opportunities – Learning to drive later in life not only opens up huge opportunities and creates new experiences you no longer need to rely on others meaning more independence. You can visit whoever and wherever you like freely and possible access destinations and hobbies that previously seemed impossible.
Improves Quality of Life – Driving has proven to improve quality of life, it opens up opportunities to improve your social status, makes it easier to access important appointments and run errands at your own leisure.
Tips For Learning To Drive In Later Life
It’s no secret that learning to drive later in life can be a little daunting and may be a more challenging task for some and feeling anxious during those first lessons is completely normal. Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable is normal for many people. Keep reading for our top tips on how to overcome these challenges.
Get Some Support – Firstly find a professional instructor who understands your needs and what support best suits you. It’s highly important you find a driving instructor with a top notch reputation and someone who specialises in learning all ages. Be honest with your nearest and dearest this provides an opportunity for them to provide encouragement and guidance before, during and after your driving journey.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Others – Everyone is different and everyone’s driving experience is different, so don’t compare yourself to others, take things at your own speed and never compare yourself to others.
Take Things At Your Own Speed – As stated previously everyone’s pace is different and learning at your own pace is super important whether it be one lesson or three lessons a week. Be personal with your schedule, you may want to take up some lessons with close friends or family this provides opportunity for improvement and may speed things up a little. Older drivers tend to be more careful/cautious and this isn’t a bad thing at all; it should be embraced to provide a safer driving environment for everyone.
Choose The Right Instructor – For older learners the most important step is choosing the right instructor for you, someone who best understands your needs, concerns and expectations. You’re going to need to find someone who has experience working with older learner drivers and can adapt to any driver and environment. An experienced skilled professional will provide empathy, be patient and take time to address any problems that arise along the way.
Preparing For Your Driving Test As An Older Person
Now you have done the graft it’s important not to fall at the last hurdle, you must prepare accordingly and feel confident in all you have learned.
- Take mock test
- Revise and constantly refresh your knowledge
- Practice techniques to help calm your nerves