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Nervous new driver tips? *bigeyes* please!
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I recently got a car after passing my driving test a couple of months back.
Soon I will HAVE to make certain journeys, but right now I don't. However, I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to drive much...this is the first time I've driven alone and although I know I have the skill, I'm not that confident.
Does anyone have any advice/virtual face-slap etc please!
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The longer you live it the harder it will be. Jump in the car & go for a short drive on a route you know really well 
I think you can get refresher lessons, might be worth it for a confidence booster. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Get on with it. Lol, I used to be a very nervous driver, I knew I could do it, I'm a good driver, but I was nervous. I had to give up my car due to financial restraints a few yes back. Got 1 again the end of last yr. Took myself of on a road trip, drove to Manchester to see a friend for a couple of days, and having achieved the long drive and motorways without issue Iv since been much better. Good luck.x |
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By *lla_maiWoman
over a year ago
staffordshire |
Start with short trips and gradually build up to longer ones. If your really nervous stick yo roads you know rather than somewhere you havent driven. Soon it'll feel the norm for you.
My friend passed her test and had her car for about 2 weeks before she drove it, kept catching the bus to work  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Practice makes perfect you know how to operate a vehicle now you learn to drive nerves arnt a bad thing they will stop you acting like allot of people who pass and think theyre sebastian loeb and kill people
In reality our driving tests are far far to easy drivers should be forcednto log so many hours in a veriety of settings and conditions like in finland then drivers would be confident and skilled when out on their own |
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You've passed your test so go for it girl! Being able to drive is a great thing,even if it's just to do your shopping. I'd be lost without mine,it's so much easier,taking the kid's out for the day,going to visit my parents,popping out just to drive nowhere in particular. You have the freedom to do whatever you want when you want it's great. I only have a little old Citroen C1 but I love. Go on lots of little short journeys first just to get your confidence up,then the world is your oyster  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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How your driving instructor taught you wont be the same on your own,you will find your own way of driving like we all do ,wrong gears,arm out the window,one hand on the wheel lol ,good luck happy driving  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Go on short trips just turning left.
Once your confidence gets better turn right. ( not as easy as it sounds first of all).
Just remember what you said. YOU HAVE THE SKILL.
Everyone is nervous at first. You will make mistakes but just drive slow at first and you will be fine.
DONT FORGET YOUR 'P' SIGN like our old 'L' plates. It will let drivers know you have just passed. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Don't worry about upsetting other drivers by going too slow on roads you don't know etc - take your time and do what you feel comfortable with.
After a few times of jumping in and going for little drives you'll get used to it really quickly so fear not. |
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I've only been driving about 20 months myself. It was probably the best decision I've ever made as well. It gives you a great freedom and the ability to just go where you want, when you want. Embrace the possibilities that driving brings.
You'll find that every time you go out you'll learn something new. In fact I don't think you ever stop learning. Stay calm and relaxed. Like you say, you have the skills. You're confidence will just naturally grow with every drive. Start off with short journeys. Even if it's just down to the shops. As your confidence grows you'll begin to realise that driving can actually be quite good fun and you'll soon be planning longer, more adventurous trips. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Being serious - the best advice I ever got was from my aunt who taught me how to drive in NYC. That is to not care about all the people around you who are frustrated and in a rush. Drive in a way that makes you comfortable. Ignore the people flipping you off and riding your bumper. Soon enough you'll be the one comfortable enough to get frustrated at others, and then hopefully you'll remember how you felt and be nice |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Don't worry about upsetting other drivers by going too slow on roads you don't know etc - take your time and do what you feel comfortable with.
After a few times of jumping in and going for little drives you'll get used to it really quickly so fear not."
Do they still do those green P stickers for new drivers?
Everyone was a new driver at some point. It's worth doing so you'll be mobile. Maybe take a mate for moral support.
Good luck. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I recently got a car after passing my driving test a couple of months back.
Soon I will HAVE to make certain journeys, but right now I don't. However, I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to drive much...this is the first time I've driven alone and although I know I have the skill, I'm not that confident.
Does anyone have any advice/virtual face-slap etc please!
"
Get your instructor to sit in with you and do a few more lessons to calm yaself down  |
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You're in brum? Don't practise near me! D:
Seriously though, my advice would be twofold and seemingly self contradictory. The thing that used to freak me out when I started driving was not being very good at judging the width of my car, so it felt like oncoming traffic didn't have room to pass. You have to make a conscious effort to remember that they've been driving longer than you,and they're not going to drive into you, you need to trust them!
Conversely, I'd say it's good driving sense to ALWAYS assume everybody else is going to do something stupid. That car is probably going to pull out on you so you'll have to be ready to brake, the twat on the roundabout is probably going to cut across into your lane so hang back and give him room, that beardy arsehole in the white corsa is probably going to accelerate hard to get through the lights before they change so pull away cautiously. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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You could take some advanced lessons.
Do some driving courses like the IAM test, Police Road Craft course etc. Your insurance might even come down a little, also your driving instructor should be able to offer you lessons like driving on the motorway and night time lessons |
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"Get some more lessons with the AA. Especially for motorway driving. "
It takes around 10,000 hours to become an expert at something.. so the more you do the better and more confident you will get. Extra lessons can be well worth it. Look into the IAM advanced driving course |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My advice would be not to get irate at other peoples driving (ie don't get road rage)..
If someone cuts you up or pulls out in front of you (which they will).. don't go bonkers beeping your horn etc. It's just not worth it.. let that plonker just go on their merry dumbass way and you remain chilled.
(I used to get road rage and realised it's pointless) |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Thanks guys for your responses, I did read every one and I know you're all making good points. I'm just being a wuss really.
I don't get angry in the car, as long as someone isn't doing something dangerous, I don't get wound up much at all.
I did a drive today doing mainly left turns as suggested. It went ok! I did get overtaken by an impatient type but as mentioned in this thread I don't get too stressed about other drivers thinking I'm too slow (they're not gonna want to damage their own vehicle by going in to me, are they?)
I'm still at the stage of feeling odd being in the car alone. I can't really afford any more lessons, or I would do the motorway ones. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Drive around areas you know well when the roads are quiet to start with.
After a while you'll be driving around London in a Chelsea tractor at rush hour without a care in the world.... "
Lol. 
Dunno about that, I'm in Birmingham and currently too scared to drive into the city centre (I did it in lessons though). |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I recently got a car after passing my driving test a couple of months back.
Soon I will HAVE to make certain journeys, but right now I don't. However, I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to drive much...this is the first time I've driven alone and although I know I have the skill, I'm not that confident.
Does anyone have any advice/virtual face-slap etc please!
"
For experience try doing some driving when no traffic on the road,night times,Sunday's etc |
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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago
carrbrook stalybridge |
treat every other driver on the road as a starck staring raving lunatic in tent on running you off the road and every pedestrian as a suicidal maniac waiting to throthemselves under you and you will be fine
oh and mirrors mirrors mirrors |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Aye, I'm thinking of going out very early tomorrow to avoid much traffic.
And I'm naturally very cautious, obsessed with checking my mirrors! "
Did anyone tell you the mirrors aren't just for putting make up on? |
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By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago
Over the rainbow, under the bridge |
"I recently got a car after passing my driving test a couple of months back.
Soon I will HAVE to make certain journeys, but right now I don't. However, I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to drive much...this is the first time I've driven alone and although I know I have the skill, I'm not that confident.
Does anyone have any advice/virtual face-slap etc please!
"
Just get in and do it. Try a dry run of the journey you have to take. |
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