What's the best time of year to learn to drive?

21/01/12

We look at the advantages and disadvantages of learning to drive in different seasons - don't forget to let us know what you think over on Facebook!

Learning to drive in winter

While a lot of people might think it’s best to avoid the winter months when learning to drive, there are a number of advantages.

Most importantly, you learn about driving in less than ideal driving conditions before you pass your test.  This isn’t always fun, but getting over the hurdle of driving in the dark, heavy rain, snow, fog, or even in the glare of low winter sun with the protection of your driving teacher will give you a lot of confidence for after you have passed your test and have to deal with these situations on your own.

If you learn to drive in the winter, you are likely to do some driving in the dark due to the short days, which can be a real help in developing your road awareness.  Headlights alert you more quickly to the presence of other cars, but you still need to have sharp eyes for pedestrians and cyclists who might not be lit up properly.

One major disadvantage of learning to drive in the winter is that it may take you longer to learn to drive, due to your lessons being cancelled because of poor weather.

Learning to drive in summer

It can be easier to get extra lessons booked in the summer as a lot of students tend to learn during their term times, meaning there are more gaps in driving teachers’ diaries in the summer months.

Overall driving in the summer can be a lot more pleasant, especially during the summer holidays when there is less traffic on the busiest roads.  Crucially this means more time to test your manoeuvres, rather than wasting expensive minutes sitting in traffic jams.  Of course, if you live in a tourist area, you’ll find the opposite applies!

If you are lucky enough to take all your lessons in good weather conditions, it’s probably best to get an experienced driver to drive out with you on your first dark night, just to boost your confidence.

Whatever time of year you learn to drive, most instructors now recommend you take a “Pass Plus” test teaching you about motorway driving.  Motorway driving can be daunting as there are different road signs and you have to get used to the change in pace.  Also, there are many insurance companies who offer better rates for new drivers who have taken a motorway driving course – this can make a significant difference in the first year when premiums are inflated.