Take the wheel

A Driving lesson

Driving instructor: Right, so this is your third lesson with ABC Driving School?

Learner: Yes, I had a couple of lessons with Mr Brown last week.

Driving instructor: And what did you do with Mr Brown?

Learner: He showed me how to change gear and I practised reversing in a car park.

Driving instructor: Well, let’s run over the basics. Talk me through how you start up the car and drive off.

Learner: OK. I turn the key, then ... Oops, the engine has cut out.

Driving instructor: Which gear must you be in if you don’t want to stall?

Learner: Neutral. OK, so, I switch on the ignition and put the car into first gear. Then I accelerate and release the clutch ... but shouldn’t we be moving?

Driving instructor: You’ve still got your handbreak on...

Learner: OK. Handbreak off. Can I pull out?

Driving instructor: Have you checked your rear-view mirror to make sure that the coast is clear?

Learner: Oh yes, sorry I forgot.

Driving instructor: And your wing mirror?

Learner: Everything seems fine. Can I go?

Driving instructor: Not before you’ve signalled to let other drivers know what you’re doing. So, indicator on, then just before you pull out, a quick look over your shoulder to see that nothing is coming up on the put side. Remember, there could be a car in your blind spot.

Learner: Of course, that’s right.

Driving instructor: Good. Now we are ready to pull out [a few seconds later] Fine, now change gears and continue up to the corner and turn right.

Learner: OK. Indicator on to turn right... Do I go straight ahead afterwards?

Driving instructor: Yes ... but whoa, be careful which side of the road you’re on. We’re not abroad, you know. In England we drive on the left…

Conversation

Vocabulary and idioms

driving school = auto-école

change gear = changer de vitesse

reverse = faire marche arrière

run over the basics = récapituler les choses de base

talk sb through sth = expliquer qch à qn

start up = démarrer

drive off = démarrer

Oops, the engine has cut out.= Zut, le moteur a calé.

stall = caler

switch on the ignition = mettre le contact

put the car into first gear = passer la première

release the clutch = débrayer

handbreak = frein à main

pull out = démarrer

make sure that the coast is clear = vérifier que la voie est libre

glance = coup d’œil

rear-view mirror = rétroviseur

wing mirror = rétroviseur extérieur

indicator = clignotant

blind spot = angle mort

About the driving license

How much does a driving lesson cost?= Quel est le prix d’un cours de conduite?

Is it cheaper if I reserve a block of 20 lessons?= Est-ce moins cher si je prends un forfait de vingt leçons?

Will I always be with the same driving instructor?= Aurai-je toujours le même moniteur?

What happens if I have to cancel a lesson at the last minute?= Que se passe-t-il si je dois annuler une leçon à la dernière minute?

Can you apply for a provisional driving licence online?= Peut-on obtenir un permis provisoire d’élève conducteur sur Internet?

Do you think that I am ready to sit my driving test?= Pensez-vous que je suis prêt à passer mon permis de conduire?

Where can I buy a copy of The Highway Code?= Où peut-on acheter le code de la route?

How do you apply for a driving licence?= Quelles sont les démarches à faire pour obtenir un permis?

How long does it take to get a driving licence?= Combien de temps faut-il pour obtenir un permis?