Getting a driver’s license just has to be one of the best feelings in the world.
After years of expensive cabs, and crowded public transport, you are finally free to travel wherever you want whenever you want.
The only thing ruining this otherwise perfect picture is the fact that you are stepping into the world that, in spite of your training, still feels very foreign.
Don’t worry, though – things will become much more relaxed once you become more experienced.
Until then, let’s take a look at a couple of tips that should help you to overcome this learning curve much faster.
Know the Vehicle
Becoming a good driver, maintaining your car and gaining stronger road confidence are all made so much easier if you only spend some time to sit down and read your vehicle’s manual.
Also, it would be a very good idea to see how the car behaves in some more extreme situations.
Put another, more experienced driver in the passenger seat, drive the car to some empty lot and try doing a couple of sharp turns and sudden breaks.
Better to learn these things under supervision.
Keep It Cool
Once you join the traffic, it is of the utmost importance to stay cool and don’t allow yourself to be carried away by distractions.
Instead, set the temperature to pleasant, play some relaxing tune, and do your best to diffuse all of the panicky ideas that can cross your mind.
Remember, being alert is one thing.
Dwelling on mistakes and frightening thoughts is something completely different.
If you ever feel too stressed to carry on, just park the car for a couple of minutes and give yourself time to relax.
Take Additional Driving Lessons
There is no shame in admitting that you lack skill in some driving areas even after getting your license.
There are very few of us who became proficient drivers from the get-go with license or without.
What you should do instead of hiding your flaws and hoping for the best is to identify the skill you consider the weakest and take a couple of additional lessons.
Schools like EzLicence offering driving lessons that can be easily booked online will make this job considerably more streamlined.
Avoid Extreme Driving Conditions
At least until you become more confident behind the wheel.
So, if you can, avoid passing long distances during the night, fog, heavy rain, snow, and sleet.
Instead, use these conditions to take a couple of short circles around the block, or, even better, in some isolated environment, and sharpen your driving skills.
Keep in mind that, due to difficult angles and changing light, sunrise and sunset are also considered conditions of reduced visibility, so they should be avoided as well.
Pay Attention to Other Vehicles
Paying better attention to the vehicles around you will allow you to get a much better sense of the traffic flow and avoid potential accidents.
For a start, try to keep track of the cars in neighboring lanes.
If they are slowing down, slow your vehicle as well.
Once you become more experienced, try to watch out for the movement of taller vehicles in front of you.
You will be able to anticipate traffic developments much better.
Practice Less Common Maneuvers
Much like any other ability, driving skills tend to become rusty if not practiced.
For instance, you may find yourself forced to do a quick parallel parking and end up jamming the traffic and getting flak from other drivers.
Not quite the ego-boost you need right now.
So, use your free time to practice these things.
Giving a workout to less-used mechanisms like the hand brake is not a bad idea, either.
We hope these few tips will help you to overcome some of the difficulties experienced by new drivers.
The most important thing to get from this is that all these problems are common and simply something we all had to go through to improve our skills.
So, be patient, don’t let your insecurities get the better of you, and use every opportunity to improve your knowledge if just for a bit.