If you are looking for an adrenaline fix, teaching someone to drive will provide a rollercoaster of emotions, writes Catriona Thomson.
When I began to learn to drive, it did not go smoothly.
I got behind the wheel with my dad, hopped into the driver’s seat and thought I knew what I was doing. Mirrors, signal, depress the clutch, and handbrake off, then gently press down on the accelerator.
Then – just an awful noise of whirring as we gently rolled backwards.
There was a slight incline on the road, and I hadn’t put the car into gear. Thankfully, it was a quiet road, but there was a lot of shouting, a red face (mine), and possibly tears.
We agreed after that first fateful lesson, it would be better if we left driving instruction to a professional rather than a family member.
We lived in the middle of the countryside, so driving was an essential skill you needed to acquire as soon as possible. That is, if you needed to go anywhere.
History repeating itself
Fast-forward a few decades, and it was my youngest daughter’s 17th birthday. History is repeating itself, as she is also in a rush to learn to drive.
But, to be honest, her dad and I are keen on the idea, too. After 20 years of unpaid taxi driving, for both our daughters, we cannot wait for this time-consuming task to be over.
If you're teaching someone else to learn to drive, your learner must:
✅ have a valid UK provisional driving licence
👀 meet the minimum eyesight rules
🧍♂️ be at least 17 years old.🔗 More info here: https://t.co/xcRKe4VUBT#learningtodrive #readytopass #drivingtest pic.twitter.com/y28HU0Uqn1
— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) November 10, 2022
The eager youngster booked herself a driving lesson for the morning of the big day. She breezed back home saying: “Yup, I bossed it.” Then promptly booked her driving test for a couple of months’ time.
I am curious as to where that youthful confidence comes from. I was always a sweaty mess after every driving lesson, and even after I passed.
Teaching someone to drive tests your nerves
She now has a laserlike focus and wants to pack in as much driving practise as possible. That means her driving our car to work every morning, with me riding shotgun.
Before we set off, I explained to her that any reaction was just my nerves and that my reflexes are not a reflection of her abilities. Just that it is utterly terrifying being in the passenger seat with someone learning to drive.
We got to her workplace in one piece. There were a few minor incidents, but, all in all, pretty impressive. More importantly, I did not break out into a sweat, burst into tears
or scream out in terror once.
The entire frightening experience reminds me of parenting; the rollercoaster of emotions, sitting next to someone you love, unable to influence anything hugely, apart from solely with the power of your voice, before, ultimately, relinquishing all control.
If you are seeking an adrenaline fix, my advice is to teach someone in your family to drive.
Catriona Thomson is a freelance food and drink writer
Conversation