What to Expect for Your First Behind-the-Wheel Lesson
As part of the Graduated Licensing Process, you will be required to complete in-vehicle training with a licensed driving instructor. Top Driver meets and exceeds the requirements set forth through its multiple program options. These in-vehicle lessons are designed to not only facilitate the development of basic vehicle control, but also to promote safe driving habits and aid in hazard recognition and avoidance. So, what can you expect from your first behind-the-wheel with an instructor?
Typically, Top Driver’s in-vehicle lessons are scheduled for 1 hour. These lessons may begin and end at a Top Driver Education Center or at your home, if you live in one of our home pick-up service areas. Remember that students are required to have their Instructional Permit in their possession each and every time they operate a motor vehicle. Lesson plans are designed to be flexible based on the comfort and skill level of each student. Top Driver’s goal is not to place students in situations they are not ready for, nor to limit their development as they advance. The best thing that you can do on your first drive is be honest with your instructor about what you do not know. This will allow the instructor to develop a plan that will work best for you. So, if they ask you to perform a turn or park somewhere you are not comfortable, calmly voice how you feel. They can help you learn the steps to perform the skill with ease. If you have already gone driving with a parent or guardian before your behind-the-wheel with your instructor and have a skill you feel confident in, be proud of that confidence! It’s also important to remember that you are a brand new driver and need to be very cautious at all times when driving.
We’re looking forward to teaching you the ins and outs of safe and intelligent driving! Schedule your behind-the-wheel today!
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Top Driver behind-the-wheel lesson?
Top Driver in-vehicle lessons are typically scheduled for one hour. They can begin and end at a Top Driver Education Center or, if you live within one of our home pick-up service areas, at your home. The one-hour format is standard across the Graduated Licensing Process drives and gives the instructor enough time to cover specific skills, drive in a variety of environments, and debrief with you at the end without overwhelming a new driver.
What do I need to bring to my first behind-the-wheel lesson?
You must have your Illinois Instructional Permit with you every single time you operate a motor vehicle, including every behind-the-wheel lesson with a Top Driver instructor. Driving without your permit in your possession is not allowed. Beyond the permit, dress in comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes that let you feel the pedals, and bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them. There is no need to bring a car; the lesson is taught in a Top Driver vehicle equipped with an instructor's brake.
What happens during the first behind-the-wheel drive?
Your instructor will start by getting a sense of your comfort and experience level, then build a lesson plan around it. Early drives focus on basic vehicle control: steering, braking smoothly, accelerating, turning, scanning the road, and beginning to develop hazard recognition. The instructor will not throw you into traffic or maneuvers you are not ready for. As you build skill across lessons, you will progress to busier roads, higher speeds, parking, and more complex situations like lane changes and intersections.
What should I do if the instructor asks me to do something I am not comfortable with?
Speak up. The best thing you can do on your first drive is be honest with your instructor about what you have and have not done before. If they ask you to make a turn, park in a tight spot, or drive on a road you do not feel ready for, calmly tell them so. They can break the skill down into smaller steps and build your confidence rather than just expecting you to figure it out. The instructor's job is to teach, not to test.
What if I have already driven with a parent before my first lesson?
That is fine and actually helpful. Let your instructor know what you have practiced, where you have driven, and what skills you feel confident in, so they can adjust the lesson plan. At the same time, remember that you are still a brand-new driver and need to stay cautious. Some things parents teach are not quite the same as what is on the Illinois road test, so be open to learning the Top Driver method even when it differs slightly from what mom or dad showed you.
Does Top Driver pick up students for behind-the-wheel lessons?
Yes, in many service areas. Top Driver offers home pick-up for in-vehicle lessons within designated zones around our Education Centers. If you live within the pick-up area, your lesson can begin and end at your home. If you are outside that area, the lesson will start and end at the nearest Top Driver Education Center. Check with your local Top Driver office to confirm whether your address qualifies for home pick-up service.
