15 Tips For New Drivers

If you’re about to be a new driver and you’re starting to get a little bit overwhelmed then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re a new driver just out of school or you have put off driving for years, you need to be sure you’re confident in your abilities if you’re going to be a good driver. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can prepare for before, during and after your driving test. From working with a trustworthy instructor to choosing a car you feel comfortable in, the more you’re doing the easier it will be. With that in mind, here are 15 top tips for new drivers: 

During Your Lessons

To begin, we need to start at the most logical place, your driving lessons. You can learn a lot when having your driving lessons, especially if you’re eager to pass as soon as you possibly can. To help you make the most of your lessons, we’ve put together a couple of tips for you to bear in mind.

1. Make Sure You Book A Trustworthy Instructor

One of the best things you can do when you’re practicing for your driving test is to ensure you’re booking an instructor you trust. Driving instructors will all work in completely different ways so although it may take you time to find one that you work well with, it’s important you’re enjoying your lessons as you take them. If you’re unsure about where to begin when it comes to finding a driving instructor you like, you may want to consider asking your friends who they learnt to drive with. They will be able to give you their honest opinions, making the decision much easier. For a guide to finding the perfect driving instructor, you can visit this site here. 

2. Have One Or Two Lessons A Week

When you have found a driving instructor you like, you need to ensure you’re having one or two lessons a week. Although you can have more or less if you want, one to two lessons has been proven to be the most effective way to learn to drive. When you book an instructor, like on found offering texas drivers ed or other locations, make sure you ask about their schedule and how often they can see you. You don’t want someone who is rarely available, but neither do you want someone pushing for lots of lessons too soon. By not overwhelming yourself but having regular lessons, you will learn at a steady pace that allows you to pass your test on your first try. Although it’s not guaranteed, it is a great place to start. If you feel you need to increase the number of lessons you’re having, you can do that at a later date. 

3. If Possible, Go Out For Drives With Your Parents 

If you have the facilities go out and drive with your parents in between your lessons, you should definitely consider doing this. Although they will not be able to teach you as much as your instructor, they will be able to help you put what you have been learning into practice. It will also give you a chance to try driving a different car. 

4. Ask As Many Questions As You Can 

During your driving lessons, you need to be sure you’re asking as many questions as you can. While you may feel as though you’re bugging your instructor, that’s exactly what they’re there for. 

5. Practice For Your Theory

While you’re having your lessons, you also need to be sure you’re practising for your theory test too. This needs to be taken alongside your driving test, so the more you’re practising the better. There are practice tests online you can take if you think you need to. 

Passing Your Test

When it comes to passing your test, it can be an incredibly stressful experience. To help ensure you’re staying as calm as you can, here are some tips and tricks. 

6. Don’t Book Before You’re Ready

Although you may be tempted, it’s better not to book your test before you’re ready. Whether that means you’ve completed all of the items you needed to get through or you feel confident driving without instruction. Everyone has a different comfort level and it’s important you recognise yours. If it takes you longer than most, that’s okay. For a guide to booking your driving test, you can visit this site here. 

7. Try Not To Worry And Stress

As driving tests are stressful, you’re naturally going to feel a little bit stressed in the run. The best thing to do, if possible, is to try not to worry and stress too much. You will have learnt everything you need to and if you stay calm, chances are you’re going to pass. After all, they may be a little reluctant to put a nervous driver on the road. 

If you’re feeling a little nervous, let them know in advance and they will be understanding and take you through the test slowly. 

8. Don’t Forget The Theory That You Have Learnt

Although you may not have taken your theory test yet, you need to be sure you’re not forgetting everything you have learnt. Throughout your test, they may give your instances that relate directly to what you have learnt and if you don’t show that you have the knowledge to drive safely, you’re not going to pass. If it helps, take a couple of hours before your test to read the things you may not be so sure on. You can also research common questions they will ask. 

9. Don’t Worry If You Don’t Pass The First Time

It can be extremely disheartening if you don’t pass your test the first time but don’t worry, it’s natural. Whether it is nerves or you forgot a couple of key points, you can easily rebook and give it another go further down the line. 

After You’ve Passed

Once you have passed your test and you’re finally on the road, you need to be sure you’re still doing everything you can to stay safe. 

10. Make Sure You Choose A Car You’re Comfortable Driving 

During your lessons, you will have been driving in the same car the whole time. While this is a great way to learn, it means you may not be used to driving other cars. The best thing to do is either learn in your own car or buy a car like the one you have been learning in. Another option, of course, is to test drive the cars before you buy them so you can get a feel for whether or not you feel comfortable driving it. While you can change your car after you have bought it, it’s not something you want to do. 

11. Use P Plates To Show You Have Just Passed

If you want to indicate to people that you have just passed your test, using P plates is a great way to signal that you may still be a little nervous. 

12. Don’t Go On Long Journey’s Until You’re Ready

Another important tip to bear in mind is that you shouldn’t be going on long journey’s until you’re ready. Although you may really want to put your new found freedom to the test, it’s better for you to build up the distance you’re driving each time that you drive. The longer you’ve been driving, the easier driving a long distance will be. 

If you do want to drive a long distance right away, make sure you’re taking lots of breaks in between. 

13. Minimize Your Distractions While You’re Driving

This is something that should always be on your mind but during your first few months of driving, it’s even more important for you to minimise your distractions while you’re driving. Whether that means not listening to music or not driving with your friends in the back, you don’t want to be distracted when you’re still learning how to navigate the road on your own. 

If you think you will still be able to focus with distractions everywhere, this is something you need to decide for yourself. 

14. Don’t Forget About Insurance

As soon as you have passed your test and purchased your car, you also need to buy your car insurance. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it will also help cover you in the event of an emergency. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance for new drivers, you can visit this site here. 

15. Refresh Your Mind On What You’ve Learnt As Often As You Can

Finally, you need to be sure you’re refreshing your mind on what you have learnt as often as you can. Whether that means regularly driving with your parents so they can see how you’re doing or taking a look through the reading materials you have once a week, learning to drive is something you need to build over a long period of time. 

With lots of great tips and tricks to bear in mind, you can be sure you’re as ready as you can possibly be when it comes to the weeks running up to and following your driving test. What else do you need to do? Did we miss anything off of the list?