How quickly can one learn to drive on the road?
4 Answers
Generally, it takes 2-3 months to learn driving on the road. Key points for steering wheel control: Keep your hands steady when turning the wheel. Avoid gripping too tightly or making unnecessary movements, as this can lead to unsteady steering. Try not to look down while turning the wheel to prevent missing reference points. Key points for clutch control: Learning to drive is essentially about mastering the clutch. Maintain slight adjustments around the semi-engaged position. The clutch shouldn't remain fixed - releasing too much accelerates the vehicle, while releasing too little may cause stalling. Coordinate the clutch, gearshift and brake properly, ensuring the clutch is fully depressed before changing gears.
When I took my driver's license test last year, I thought the basic operations could be mastered in a week, but to become proficient, it takes at least 30 hours of practice. On the first day, the instructor had me touch the steering wheel, and by the third day, I dared to drive at 40 km/h on an empty road. However, on the fifth day, I still scraped the curb while reversing. It wasn’t until after two weeks of continuous practice—two hours daily—that I dared to change lanes and overtake independently. And that doesn’t even account for sudden situations like electric bikes darting out or driving in heavy rain. My advice to beginners is not to rush the process—safety is the top priority. It’s best to have an experienced driver accompany you in the passenger seat a few times to be more reliable.
Having taught driving for over a decade, the most dedicated student passed Subject Three in just two weeks, but that was someone who spent eight hours daily at the driving school. Most people need around twenty sessions to grasp the basics: the first five days to get familiar with the accelerator and brake, the next ten days practicing turns and lane changes, and the final five days tackling complex road conditions. Not everyone can achieve quick results; for slower learners, it might take two weeks just to overcome the fear of braking. It all depends on individual learning ability and actual road experience. I never recommend beginners to practice directly on highways.
Watching my daughter learn to drive is so nerve-wracking. The driving school promised a 10-day crash course, but it took her half a month to dare drive alone to buy groceries. In the first three days, she stalled over ten times at the training ground. On the fifth day, her hands were shaking from nervousness when driving on the road. It wasn't until the twelfth day that she memorized all the road signs. Young people nowadays always want to hit the road immediately, but we veteran drivers know that without at least twenty hours of actual driving experience, you can't really say you can drive. Safety isn't something to rush—better to spend more time than take risks.
