How to Stay Calm when Driving - Instructor Commentary Drive

I passed my test first time with only 2 minors. Before my test I made many mistakes however when it came to it, I just relaxed and gave it my best. It made my driving the best it ever has been just taking a breath and approaching things more slowly. Good luck to everyone who has a test you’ll smash it 🏆

You've no idea how reassuring it is to know that even a driving instructor gets confused about lanes and speed limit signs when driving in a strange town or city.

It might be quite overlooked but I genuinely appreciate everything you do just to teach and express your experiences. I can’t imagine the fuel, the planning, the editing, the recording and still safely drive to deliver these videos consistently. That’s discipline and pure love. Thank you so much! - from Cambridge. I wish you visit one time!

I’m super self-critical, and on my first test I thought I’d made loads of errors. My driving instructor made sure to tell me that no matter how many mistakes I think I make, continue driving as though you haven’t made any. Don’t give up. Turns out in my test I’d only made one minor error.

When you forgive others for their errors, you feel more forgiven for your own! ❤❤

Also really appreciate the camera on the feet and pedals. I literally do rewind through key moments to watch what you did with the pedals. It helped to change how i drive so much when i first started watching that my teacher recognised the improvement.

You are an absolute genius. I wish I had been taught to drive by someone like you! I have always been a nervous driver and have suffered from driving anxiety for 25 years! Am just getting back into driving and your videos are an immense help to me - in fact, I don't think I could have done it without your videos! Whenever I drive now and am anxious about a hazard, etc. I think, "What would Richard do here?"... it really helps! 😊 my son is just about to turn 17 and just got his provisional licence. I am sharing your videos with him - thank you so much!

At the beginning of my driving and in the driving school I was quite often nervous and was like "how can someone enjoy driving". A while after I got my license,when I got used to driving,stopped being afraid and nervous behind the wheel and got my own car, I started to really enjoy driving. For like last 3 years I enjoy it so much,I often just grab the keys and go for a random drive just because I feel like it and almost always come back home more relaxed,happier and satisfied. I do it to even relax after hard times or while feeling down. Despite some.... not so good drivers that drive dangerously, when i encounter one, I usually am not nervous for longer than couple of seconds,If necessary I just press the horn,relax and move on. I also always say to myself that when you are about to drive,take your ego,anger,tension and frustration and throw it in the bin,because if you take it with you behind the wheel,you will be only doing mistakes,you will only be more frustrated,angry,may put others in danger and possibly have an accident. If you put it in the bin,stay calm,dont look for trouble, you will start to enjoy driving. (edit) one thing that helped me is a change of mindset,you described it in lots of your videos, like dont be tense,dont desperately try to catch up with others,drive at your own pace,take your time for everything and etc.. Thanks for the vid!

I'm having lessons now at a mere 62 years young. Getting into the right lane at roundabouts is an area that I need to work on, and you're videos are coming in very handy between my lessons. My test isn't until October unless I can get a cancellation so plenty of time to practice. Keep up the good work, you are a big help.

I passed my test in 2017 and have hardly driven since. The reason is that I found I was a very nervous driver. It was probably down to a lack of experience, and confidence. I also had one or two minor incidents which didn't help and put me off driving. It's frustrating because I want to be able to drive and I know there is a good driver within me, otherwise, I wouldn't have passed my test. I want to get back on the road and build my confidence up which is partly why I'm watching these videos. I hope I can get back behind the wheel soon but will probably need some refresher lessons now.

Thank you, I'm replacing my father's violent voice with yours and i feel better alredy

One thing I took away from this video is that driving must be mentally exhausting at times

I got my driving licence 5months back but i keep watching your videos to get better

My three rules for staying calm, based upon my 45 years behind the wheel: 1. Maintain a safe distance. 2. Assume that other road users are simply having a bad day if they do something stupid. 3. Be extra courteous in allowing drivers to pull out when appropriate, sometimes even if you have right of way - a surprised 'thank you' wave and smile are worth much. Although a 'white van man' I am also an advanced driver and courtesy from such a vehicle often results in surprised or even shocked, but happy faces!

Wow I have severe driving anxiety. The idea of finding it relaxing seems almost hysterical to me.

”When I am in traffic, I like to let one go.”

Hi Richard, I'm a driving instructor as well. I really liked how you drove in Chelmsford. You have passed twice Army and Navy Roundabout. Is a very famous roundabout in Chelmsford. Also you have passed Miami Roundabout. I recommend your videos to my pupils. Keep doing this type of videos. Very useful. Regards, Aurel

It's so helpful to hear how an experienced driver thinks on the road. I have a fear of joining dual carriageways, probably because my driving instructor shouts at me every time!

One thing I find quite hard to do is driving and talking, I need total concentration specially driving in unfamiliar areas , you are doing very good 👍🏻

Hi Richard, I wanted to say a huge thank you for all the time and work you put into your videos! After 14 months of lessons, one failed test and having to change instructors twice, I passed last week with two minors! I’m over the moon! Your videos made a HUGE difference in helping me feel prepared and calm during the test! This video (and all your other ones!) is going to be super useful for when I start driving on my own too. Thank you again!! 😊