Date Published: February 25th, 2019
If you have just passed your test it can be a little nerve-wracking to just get in your car and start driving again, especially without the assistance of your instructor. We have compiled a list of the best 10 driving tips for new drivers to help you tackle those tricky few months after your test.
1. Driving alone for the first time
Driving alone for the first time can be very scary for nervous drivers knowing that there is no one to intervene should something happen. It is very important to get over this fear quickly as you won’t be able to drive confidently if you always need somebody to help you in the car.
Take it slow at first, driving around the area of your home by yourself and then slowly venturing further out until you are confident driving anywhere by yourself.
2. Driving on the motorway for the first time
Driving for the first time on the motorway can be challenging for even the most confident of new drivers. It’s a good idea to stick to the left lane when going on the motorway and not do any risky lane changes. Start your motorway driving when it’s not too busy on the road (for example Sundays) so that you don’t feel pressured by other drivers. Try not to put it off because the longer you wait the less likely you are to ever try it.
Motorways can cut a large amount of time out of many journeys and will help you avoid having to take back roads and A roads to get to your destination. You can now take motorway driving lessons before[1] and after your test. This is a great idea if you know you aren’t going to be confident enough to tackle the motorway for the first time on your own.
3. Don’t forget your road safety
This may be one of the more obvious and basic driving tips for new drivers but it is one of the leading causes of crashes for novice drivers[2]. Road safety is one of the most important parts of learning to drive!
4. Get comfortable with clutch control
Practise using your clutch control at traffic lights when roads are quiet to minimise the chance of you panicking and making your car stall which will most likely make you even more nervous.
5. Driving at night
Driving at night can be a bit scary if you have never had a night driving lesson before. The driving conditions are much different to the day as visibility is seriously limited. We recommend driving around an area you know well when you’re driving at night for the first time to build your confidence.
6. Make sure you’re focusing
For the first few drives, after you pass your test, you should try to drive alone and without any distractions. Once you feel a little more comfortable doing this you should then try to ease yourself into things such as listening to music, having other people in the car with you and talking to them whilst driving and still focusing on the road.
7. Get to know your car
If you didn’t learn to drive in your own car it is very important to get to know the ins and outs of your new vehicle before driving around in it. Read the manual – boring, we know, but it’s best to know what all those buttons and flashing lights mean before getting on the road with your car.
8. Get over your fear of driving in bad weather conditions
It is unrealistic to think that you will never need to drive when it is raining, icy on the roads or snowing. It’s best to face this scary task head-on as the more you do the better and more confident you’ll become at doing it. Just take it very slow when driving on ice and snow and don’t take unnecessary risks.
9. Practise your driving techniques
It is important to practise all the driving techniques your instructor made a point of teaching you. They teach you a lot of these techniques to keep you as well as other drivers and pedestrians safe on the road. It’s important you keep practising until it all becomes a habit.
10. Practise your parking techniques
There are very few drivers in this world who enjoy parallel parking but if you don’t tackle some of the more difficult parking techniques without your instructor early on you will end up avoiding them forever. You never know when you may need to park in the smallest and most difficult of places.