5 Essential and Useful Driving Tips for Beginner Drivers

D riving may not be rocket science, but it surely is a daunting task especially for beginner drivers. With sky-high anxiety, ever-increasing stress levels and your nerves getting to you, driving a car for the first time can be quite frustrating for beginners.

However, there are many useful, essential, and safety driving tips for beginner drivers that you can follow to make your driving experience pleasant and fun.

We have rounded up top 5 tips for beginner drivers to help you become a confident driver and successfully navigate the road ahead.

1.     Acquaint Yourself with the Vehicle

When it comes to driving, one of the first few important things you need to do is familiarize yourself with the vehicle. The key to smooth driving is to feel confident behind the steering wheel and one way to do that is to get comfortable with the vehicle that you are driving.

What this means is you need to fully understand the controls of the vehicle and understand all of its components. For instance, knowing where the seat controls are, the location of the locks, position of the gears, how to shift from automatic to manual and vice versa, and so much more.

Once you fully acquaint yourself with the vehicle, you will feel much more confident and in control of your vehicle.

2.     Have A Firm and Steady Hand on the Wheel

As a beginner or first-time driver, the last you want is your vehicle going out of control and losing its direction. Therefore, the second most important driving tip is to have a firm and steady hand on the steering wheel. Doing so will help you hold the vehicle straight down the road, and also keep it in control especially when taking turns.

Furthermore, make sure to hold the steering wheel properly as well. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommends that drivers should place their hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel while driving.

3.     Maintain A Slow, Safe Speed and Avoid Over-Speeding

As intimidating as driving is, it can also be quite exhilarating for first-time drivers. And, sometimes, it’s natural for beginner drivers to want to increase their driving speed out of mere excitement.

However, know that over-speeding isn’t only dangerous for yourself and other drivers, but it’s also against the law.

It is best for beginner drivers to stick to slow speeds so that you are fully accustomed to driving your vehicle at slow speeds before you are ready to push the accelerator pedal further down. And, as the popular saying goes, learn to walk before you run!

4.     Keep A Decent Distance From Other Vehicles

In most cases, the reaction time of beginner drivers is considerably slower than that of experienced ones. This is why as a first-timer, you must maintain a decent distance from other vehicles on the road. Don’t get too close to them and try to follow the ‘two second rule’ which requires drivers to keep a distance of one car length for every 10 mph that they are traveling.

Keeping a distance will also help prevent you from rear-ending the vehicles that are in front of you.

5.     Avoid All Kinds of Distractions While Driving

From texting and using your cellphone to looking here and there aimlessly, there are numerous forms of distractions that can affect your driving.

Whether you are a beginner driver or an experienced one, you must avoid all kinds of distractions while driving to prevent accidents and injuries. Always keep your eyes on the road, be attentive and refrain from using your cellphone when driving.

It is very important to stay highly focused on the road when you are behind the steering wheel not just for your own safety, but also for that of others.

Drive Safe and Have Fun!

Driving isn’t just about ensuring safety, but it’s also about enjoying being behind the steering wheel. However, to be able to do both, you should follow all safety and driving tips and rules.

These are just a handful of driving tips for beginners, and there are actually many others that first-time drivers should know about.For all the beginner drivers out there, follow these driving tips for beginner drivers, and make sure that you not only maintain safety, but also have an enjoyable experience.

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