Learning to gain your confidence behind the wheel is nerve-wracking. How can you take control of your driving experience and stay safe when you are still learning every day? When it comes to driving a car, you can never be too safe, and if it means hearing the same driving tips for a new driver over and over again, so be it. The more you understand the essential driving tips, the sooner you will end up being an excellent driver.
Read on to uncover fifteen driving tips for a new driver that will keep you cool and in control:
1. Pay attention to the cues from other drivers
If you suddenly notice that cars in front of you are slowing or changing lanes, this is a huge clue that there is something unexpected going on just out of your view. It’s usually a good idea to follow suit and try to get into another lane as soon as you notice people clamoring to get out of yours. If there is slowing, make sure to pay attention. Is one lane moving slower than the other? Do you see any flashing lights up ahead? Are there any warnings on the signs overhead? Never keep going full speed if you notice others in front of you slowing down, even if it’s not your lane that seems to be affected.
2. Learn your car’s position in the road
You may be in a small car, a large sedan, or an SUV. Every vehicle’s length and width is different. Some new driver tips that will help you understand your car’s size? Learn where your tires are in your lane to help you avoid potholes or debris on the road and learn where your car feels centered in your lane.
3. Your rear-view mirror is designed to help you
Your rear-view mirror is designed with a little lever underneath it to change the angle of your mirror. This is one of those obvious new driver tips that you may not consider when someone is tailgating you at night. Simply reach up and flip the lever, and the mirror will deflect bright headlights out of your eyes.
4. Practice makes perfect
No one becomes a great driver overnight. It takes practice to learn to maneuver your car. One of the handiest new driver tips you can learn is that it’s ok to practice, practice and practice some more. Confidence will only come with time. Don’t just practice in parking lots, though; take the car into quiet neighborhoods and practice driving on the road.
5. Parking can be nerve-wracking
The only difference between someone who can park quickly between two other cars and those who seem uncertain pulling in is that the first driver is familiar with his car’s position and size while the second driver isn’t entirely certain of either. You may want to take your car into a quiet parking lot and practice pulling into parking spaces until you are confident.
6. Parallel parking is even worse
As a new driver, you may have learned the basics of parallel parking just to pass your test. The truth is people who parallel park easily probably do it frequently. Practice in a parking lot and use your mirrors to line up your car with the curb. Parallel parking is all about angles, size, and approach.
7. Ease your starts and stops
Try to ease slowly into your position at a red light or stop sign and to accelerate smoothly away from them. New driver tips for starts and stops? Pretend you have a hot beverage in your lap. How would you start or stop to keep the liquid from spilling on you? Smooth starts and stops save gas and wear and tear on your brakes.
8. Don’t have tunnel vision
All is well in your car but understand that your car is just a piece of a bigger puzzle. Don’t get tunnel vision; keep your eyes open for situations around your car such as playing children and animals that are close to the road and could dart in front of you.
9. Remember to use your signals
The only thing more frustrating than trailing someone who has forgotten to turn their signal off is to be behind someone who forgets to use them altogether. The best new driver tips involving turn signals? Get in the habit of using them no matter what you are doing. If it involves changing your car’s position on the road, use a signal. They aren’t just for turns, they alert other drivers that you are changing lanes, pulling over to park, or are stopped for some reason along the side of the road.
10. Never speed
Speed limits aren’t just suggestions, they are law. Speeding can get you a costly ticket, cause your insurance rates to skyrocket, or result in an unfortunate accident. Play it safe and keep your car at the posted speed limit.
11. Consider driver’s Ed
Driver’s Ed isn’t just for teens looking for their licenses. These classes can be helpful for building your confidence behind the wheel. When it comes to new driver tips, this one may save you money: insurance companies often give discounts to drivers who complete Driver’s Ed or a defensive driver course.
12. Never touch your phone when driving
In most states, distracted driving is illegal. Distracted driving includes texting or talking on your hand-held device. To stay safe and focused on the road, turn your phone off and put it out of reach while driving. If you need to use it, access blue tooth or pull over.
13. Practice defensive driving techniques
Ask any driver what they fear most about driving, and they will tell you it is other drivers. New driver tips usually focus on your interactions with other drivers, but no matter how carefully you drive, you should always be on the lookout for the unexpected. Practice defensive driving techniques like maintaining safe distances and glancing in your mirrors. If someone is driving in an unsafe manner, pull over and let him pass or get as far away from him as you can.
14. Always wear seatbelts
It’s hard to imagine, but wearing a seatbelt wasn’t always a requirement. Many older drivers grew up in a time that seatbelt use was optional and had to learn to strap in when new restraint laws were passed. New drivers are a different generation and have grown up in an era that seatbelt use is expected. Still, it’s easy to forget to wear your seatbelt if you are “just going down the street.” Remember that most accidents happen within a mile of your home and that you can get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt no matter how close to home you are.
15. Keep your car in good shape
One of the best new driver tips doesn’t involve actually driving at all. Always keep your vehicle in good shape; tires inflated, fluids topped off, and oil changed, for instance. Additionally, keep an emergency kit in the trunk that includes a gas can, jumper cables, and spare tire.
Driving is a great privilege and will give you new freedoms but honing your driving skills after you first get your license can be stressful. Keep these new driver tips in mind, and you will find you can quickly become a confident and efficient driver.