We have all been there, sat in your car for the first time by yourself, keys in the ignition and ready to pull off. There is nothing quite like the sense of freedom and independence that you feel from being able to go where-ever you please and when-ever you like. Whether you want to go round the corner to the shops or drive the length of the country it is right there at your finger tips.
However, if you are like 99% of everyone else who has been in that situation you will be completely and utterly daunted when you make that first trip without the safety net of your driving instructor and those big cones on top of the car that show everyone you are a learner. He or she won’t be there to tell you what lane to be in, to advise on what space is good to park in and to step in and potentially utilise the dual controls if you really make an error.
Therefore Oneway Driving School (A driving school in Portsmouth), has come up with a few pointers that all new drivers should take into account and seek to adhere to when they have completed your driving lessons and are ready to drive for the first time. This is by no means a 100% to do list but in our experience these are some of the most common pieces of advice we would give to any new driver.
1) Take pass plus lessons: Even if you cannot or do not need a car right away, we would thoroughly recommend taking up the option of the pass plus driving lessons. This, six module driver training course covers off some of the areas that as a learner you could not experience (motorway driving) and focuses in detail on other, more tricky aspects of driving (adverse weather, busy town driving). Gaining experience in these areas of advanced driving is crucially important in the early phases of a new drivers education and will give you extra skills and knowledge that will mean you are ultimately safer and calmer on the road when you do go out for the first time. This is why many insurers offer up to a 10% discount on premiums for pass plus certificate holders.
2) Get the insurance that is right for you: For many young new drivers, car insurance is extremely expensive, however it is imperative that you get the right insurance for how you are likely to be driving. For example if you aren’t going to be driving up and down motorways, don’t say you will be driving 18,000 miles a year, conversely don’t underestimate your mileage because if you do go significantly over this, it could mean your insurance is invalid. It is important that you speak to your insurance companies so that you understand what everything means (there is a lot of jargon) and that you are confident that you are purchasing a policy that is right for you and your needs.
3) Get to know your car: If you don’t know your windscreen washer from your power steering fluid, we would suggest that you take the time to learn a thing or two about car maintenance. We are not saying that you need to become a mechanic but we would recommend that you familiarise yourself with the basics of engine as it is likely to be very different from what you learned in. Make sure you are 100% on how to check oil, water, washer, power-steering and brake fluid levels. Make sure you know where your spare tyre is, how to check the pressures on your current tyres and how much grip they have on them. It is vitally important that you can pick up on these basics so that you can maintain the car and keep it running between MOT’s.
4) Learn the car: Chances are you won’t be driving a brand new car like you did on your driving lessons. If you are on a budget your car could be 10 years old and have 100,000 miles on the clock. Therefore you have to appreciate that your car will not be as responsive, as reliable and have much more wear and tear. Make sure when you take it out, you test your brakes to gauge the distance that your practice going through the gears, working the steering and generally picking up on quirks the car may have. You absolutely will get used to these over time and eventually it will become the norm but it is vital that you pick up on these sooner rather than later.
5) Get green P plates: For the first few months of driving independently you will be nervous, apprehensive and likely to drive at a slower pace that more experienced drivers. This is completely natural and anyone would understand. However – if you don’t let everyone else know this then they won’t give you extra space, time and accommodate you at roundabouts and junctions. Many drivers use them whilst they are getting used to the road and for the most part other drivers do react to them and are much more patient whilst you are getting used to the road.
6) Practice all the manoeuvres you learned: For months and months you probably averaged 2 reverse round a corners a week and a parallel park on your driving lessons but now you might not use them as much if ever. However there will come a time when you will be in a situation where you need them and it is vital that you can still apply the proper technique to avoid a dangerous situation. If you are driving down a road and you spot a space, don’t park it forward, use a parallel park, practice reversing onto the drive or into a car parking space. You have taken the time to learn these skills, now don’t lose them by being lazy!
7) Drive in different weather conditions and at different times of the day: learned in the summer and you’re not used to a dark December morning? Then make sure you practice in the evening when it is dark so that you are ready for the winter where you will most likely drive in mostly dark conditions. The same goes for maing an effort for taking a short trip out if you have never driven on ice. Appreciating and understanding adverse weather conditions is a key element of learning to drive and for more info check out our article on driving in snow and ice.
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