As learner drivers return to lessons this week, many will be keen to hit the ground running with the demand for driving tests predicted to soar in the coming months.

Driving tests are currently suspended because of Covid-19 and most are expected to resume on April 22.

Learning to drive can be daunting at the best of times though, let alone after a three month lay-off.

To help learners with their transition back to lessons, young driver insurer Marmalade has teamed up with award-winning driving instructor Jeff Tuck and Chris Bensted, owner of Better Driver Training.

Together they’ve come up with five ways drivers can ensure they are best placed to nail their first lesson back - reducing any anxiety they may have around returning to the road.

1) Use mental rehearsal

As many learners won’t have stepped foot in a car since December, the thought of being behind the wheel could be quite a daunting one. To ease any nerves it is a good idea to visualise driving a car again. If you’re a relatively new driver then run through how you’ll start the car. If you’re a little more experienced, visualise pulling up to and driving around a roundabout - thinking about the actions you’ll need to take. Mental rehearsal helps to remind yourself that you are a capable driver and allows you to develop confidence going into that first lesson back.

2) Discuss the planned driving route for the lesson

Before starting your lesson ask your instructor if they can talk you through the route you are going to be taking. This allows you to start building a picture in your mind of the kind of challenges you may be faced with such as turning right at a junction. If you think you may struggle with any of the actions you’re expecting to have to make then ask your instructor if he can go over some key teaching points. Don’t feel like you should know everything after going such a long period of time without driving.

3) Practice your manoeuvres

Like many skills, the key to conquering manoeuvres is practice, practice, practice. After a long lay-off from driving it’s likely you’ll need a reminder of the various stages involved in each move. Because of this, it’s a good idea to ask your instructor if you can set aside some time to do this. Not only will this help to improve your confidence around one of the trickiest aspects of a driving test it will also allow you to familiarise yourself with the car and its dimensions.

4) Familiarise yourself with the ‘show me, tell me questions’

Having gone an extended period of time without driving it could be easy to neglect one of the most straightforward aspects of learning how to drive. But, brushing up on the ‘show me, tell me questions’ is a must. All of the questions that you could be asked on your test can be found in the DVSA guide here. As there’s a good chance you’ll need to remember various answers to the questions for your driving lesson such as how to turn on the headlights, it’s definitely worthwhile taking the time to go over this again.

5) Have a practice drive with a friend or family member

While lessons form an integral part of learning how to drive there is no doubt the practice you do away from your instructor is equally as important. If somebody you know and trust is able to take you out in a car then you should make the most of this. Having a couple of practice drives ahead of your first lesson back means you’ll be able to maximise the time you have with your instructor having familiarised yourself with being on the road again. As a guide, the DVSA recommends you complete 22 hours of private practise in addition to your lessons.