5 Tips for newly qualified drivers

You never truly finish learning how to drive. There’s a lot you’ll learn on the roads that a driving instructor can’t teach you. However, there are some little things you can do to make the transition from driving lessons to driving alone much easier. We’ve got 5 tips for new drivers that will help to boost your confidence and have a much smoother drive.

Work out what your car can do

You don’t want to try to work the windscreen wipers when you first drive in the rain. It’s worth sitting in your car before you take it out onto the roads to find out how it all works. Take a glance at the manual and play with the settings and controls of your car. This is the perfect time to make sure your seat is in the right position, the radio stations you’ll use are all programmed and your mirrors are facing where you need them to.

Keep distractions to a minimum

As you become more confident driving, you will find that less distracts you. However, you might want to be cautious when you first start venturing onto the roads on your own. Keep the music low and don’t give your friends lifts as both can distract you from the road.

Practice driving

You’ve passed your test, so of course you can drive. It may be wise, however, to get some practice in the car alone. Drive around quiet streets so that you can have a feel for driving without a passenger before you take any long trips. For more unfamiliar driving, such as motorways or in the night time, you may want to take someone with you who is experienced at driving. Pass Plus is also an option, which will mean taking on this unfamiliar driving with a qualified instructor.

Learn your frequent routes

Using a sat nav as a newly qualified driver (or as an experienced driver!) can be a distraction. Sometimes it’s unavoidable but if you can, try and learn the routes for places your likely to drive to often. Before going on any unfamiliar journey, look at the map or sat nav beforehand so you can get a better understanding of where you need to go. Better yet, if you can practice the route without any time limits you’ll save yourself stress later down the line.

Find out how to fill up your car

We’ve all been there – bought a new car and taken it to the petrol station without a second thought because how hard can filling up the car be? In reality, every car fills up differently, so it’s worth doing a little preparation before your first trip to the petrol station. Your car’s manual will tell you how to remove the fuel cap and you’ll want to learn how to do this before you go to the station. Make sure you know whether your car takes petrol and diesel too so you don’t make any costly mistakes. To fill up your tank as far as you can, keep squeezing the handle until you feel a click or hear a clunking noise. It won’t overflow unless you squeeze the handle again.