So you have finally passes your test and you’re ready to get out on the road. However, it is important to remember that driving is a continual learning process and you’re going to have to build a lot more experience before you can feel really comfortable behind the wheel.
It can be an intimidating time for the inexperienced driver, even mixed in with all of the excitement of having passed your test. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can do to ease your progression into the world of driving until you have a few more miles under your belt.
Get More Lessons
Your driving lessons don’t have to stop once you have passed your test. There are a number of advanced courses out there that can help you with aspects of driving that you may not have encountered during your time taking driving lessons. For example, a good Pass Plus course will allow you to get a sense for driving on motorways, which may prove crucial if you have to start driving over long distances soon after having passed your test.
Get A Suitable Car
It may be tempting to get a high-powered vehicle if you are in a position to afford one, but remember that they come with a host of challenges that you won’t have encountered in your driving instructors car. That extra power is going to be difficult to handle for somebody who doesn’t have a lot of experience, which may lead to you having an accident if you aren’t really careful. Be wary about the first car that you buy and try to stick to something with a little less power until you are more experienced.
Get To Know Your Car
You should know your vehicle inside and out before you head out onto the road. Take a little bit of time to inspect the car and make sure you understand where everything is. Check that everything works as it is supposed to, rather than just assuming that it will be fine and heading straight out onto the road. If there are any issues with the vehicle it is best to catch them now rather than when you are going 30mph down a road.
Be Confident
There are a number of things that may put you off from driving, including bad weather or general nervousness about driving on your own for the first time. The best way to get past this is to just get out there and drive. Once you have clocked up a few miles on the road you will start to feel a little more comfortable and that comfort level will improve over time.
Put Your Phone Away
It is illegal to take a phone call while you are driving, as the distraction could lead to an accident. Make sure that your phone is away and out of sight so that it doesn’t have the opportunity to pull your attention away from the road. If it rings, leave it alone and only take the call once you are no longer driving.