10 Tips for Beginners in Driving (Driving License Tips).

It’s an exciting time when you finally get your driving license and you are free and independent to hit the road and go wherever you want. There is nothing better than being behind the wheel and taking to the open roads.

That’s a great sensation, for sure, but it’s crucial that as a new driver you remember this key lesson passed down from generations past: passing your test and getting your license is only the beginning of your driver education. In today’s blog, we’ll be sharing our best nuggets of advice for beginner drivers who are either still learning or have just got their hands on their full license.

Part 1: Those Still Learning

Let’s say you’ve had some lessons and you’ve got the most fundamental basic driving skills down. The car can move and turn around. You are able to park the vehicle in a garage. Below are our top 10 driving tips.

1. Start with Your Car’s Controls

It doesn’t matter if it’s an instructor’s car, another family member’s car, or your own car that you’re learning in. It doesn't matter if you are learning in a family member's car or an instructor's car. You need to be familiar with the controls and their functions. You should be familiarized with the following controls and features in your car.

• How to adjust the driver’s seat to offer you maximum visibility through the windshield, and the most comfortable seating position between you, the steering wheel and the pedals. You shouldn’t have to extend your leg all the way to floor a pedal, for example.
• You will need to adjust your steering wheel column so that it is at the correct height.
• How to switch on heating fans, and get your windshield defrosted. You’ll need to do that before you set off, because trying to fiddle with it while you’re on the road is dangerous.
• How to adjust your rear-view and side mirrors for the best possible view behind the car
• Learn how to change your headlights from dimmed to full beams and switch them on. While a modern vehicle might automatically switch on your lights, most cars require manual input.
• How to turn on the windshield wipers and hazard light.

2. Daily Practice

If you’re learning to drive, you’ll get better faster if you take the car out every day, even if it’s just for 15-20 minutes of practice. Try to have an established “minimum” routine every time you go out, for example every drive out must include parking practice, driving in traffic, driving at speed, etc. You want to do as many as you can on each drive or in a week. Driving and the related skills can be a daily practice that will increase your competence and confidence.

3. You can change your driving conditions

As we said in the last point, you should practice different driving skills for each trip. When you are out on the roads, it is important to try different driving conditions. You will be more confident if you stay on the same routes and at the same time of day. 

Make sure you practice driving on different roads, in rain and under different parking conditions. A good habit to have is that the learner driver in the family becomes responsible for driving the car when the family is going somewhere the learner driver hasn’t driven before.

4. Don’t Let Mistakes Hold You Back

Finally, it’s very easy when learning to drive for mistakes to rattle your confidence. You might feel embarrassed, or that you’re just a hopeless driver. Though it’s easy to feel this way, you should strive to keep going and not let these negative experiences hold you back. You’ll make a lot of mistakes when you’re learning to drive, and even after you get your license. It’s important to learn how to grow from them, and not let them cower you into giving up driving.

Part 2: Just Got Your License

The time between getting your license and when you stop driving is next. It’s a dangerous period for some because they become over-confident having passed their test and obtained their license, thinking that they can now do no wrong; that they know everything they need to for life on the road. These are some helpful tips for new drivers that will be of great benefit to all.

5. Be sure to follow the guidelines

The first instinct some drivers have once they’ve obtained their license is to eschew the rules and practices they have been mastering as a learner and “become their own driver.” Rules of the road start to be interpreted in different ways; speed limits become “advisory,” and bad driving habits start to take hold.

All these dangers are deadly for all drivers, especially those new to the profession and who are not familiar with driving alone on the road. The rules are there not just for learners, but for all drivers and it’s crucial that you follow them. Not only will you keep yourself and your passengers safe, you’ll ensure other road users are safer, and what’s more you’ll avoid receiving punitive tickets from the police!

6. Do not drive distracted

Driving distracted is still a top killer on the world’s roads. Distracted driving has become a major problem since the invention of mobile phones and texting. It became so common that people can't resist the temptation to text, drive and read texts while texting. Although hands-free technology made it safer to use while driving but you still need to get rid of your phone, tablet and any other digital device that can distract.

When you’re driving, you should set rules and stick to them regarding your smartphone. You should never pick up your phone in the car, not even when it is stopped by traffic. The phone can be placed in a charging compartment or sat in a container. You may also connect the device to your car through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the handset must never be held in your hand.

7. Get more experienced drivers with you

You might need to get someone more familiar with the route to assist you if you're driving somewhere you haven't been before. There are many places on public roads that are difficult for novice drivers. It could be a new roundabout that was installed that you’ve not practiced with, or a particular intersection or other junction that’s tricky to navigate. You might find it helpful to have someone more familiar with the area.

The same applies when you’re driving to a new city. A person who has more experience in driving to unfamiliar places will be able to help you stay calm and collected if you're unsure about what to do. Driving alone can make it difficult.

8. Maintain your distance

Safe distance for drivers is a good policy. The “3-second rule” It is best to observe the car ahead passing any easily identifiable landmark. You start to count the seconds it takes for your car to pass. You are safe if it takes more than 3 seconds to pass the landmark.

As a new driver, the 3 second rule is good, but you might extend it to 4 or 5 seconds on days when the weather is bad or when you’re in a new place and have to also keep your eyes open for highway exits and other indicators for your final destination. In addition, you shouldn’t become too dependent on your car’s ADAS features to maintain distance as a new driver. It doesn't matter if your car comes with smart cruise control. You need to learn the art of maintaining distances. You will develop better driving habits and be more aware about your surroundings.

9. Always be prepared for anything

Is your car equipped with the right supplies? First, make sure you have all the necessary documents to show ownership. You should keep these documents, or copies of them in your vehicle just in case you are pulled over by police and need to present them.

You should also keep a second-aid kit and some other emergency supplies in your vehicle. This includes extra warm clothing, blankets, water, flashlight, food, water, and snow shovels if your winter is harsh. It’s always better to have these things in your car and not need them for years than the other way around.

10. Get information about Car Maintenance

A great tip for novice drivers is to find out as much information as you can about the vehicle's maintenance. You can start in the owner’s manual by looking at the maintenance schedule and see how often the OEM recommends that you change the oil, check on the brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc. The owner's manual will also provide key information on how to properly inflate your tires, what maintenance is required, and which components should be replaced or checked.

You should consider learning to do some maintenance on your own if you feel the desire. It is a good idea to learn basic maintenance skills, such as checking engine oil, transmission fluid and how to properly inflate your tires.

The more you know, the better a driver you will ultimately become, and the best time to start learning is when you are learning and/or when you’ve acquired your first license.