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Original poster

To ask for tips for driving in the early days when just passed your test. I am scared

27 replies

Witchofzog · 03/05/2019 18:29

So I passed my driving test last week in my forties. Never thought it would happen. And today I test drove a second hand car but I was petrified. I had dp in the car who is not a good passenger and I just thought "How am I going to do this from now on?". I know what to do but I think it's the thought of being totally and utterly responsible with no dual controls and no one to ask for advice.

Can anyone please give me any early days tips. Will music help to calm me? Should I aim to drive a little each day on familiar roads to build my confidence? Should I get some P plates? Any advice at all will be welcome

Thank you

OP posts:
pinkcardi · 03/05/2019 18:33

Congratulations on passing your test!!!

Personally, as a nervous new driver, I did a few very small journeys at quiet times of day.

By small I actually mean round the block and back again. I built this up over time, the supermarket, that shop after the tricky roundabout, my friend's house with challenge parking etc.

I did bigger journeys with DP next to me, but kept it local for solo trips.

I soon realised it was much more fun solo!

Enjoy!

SheSnapsThenSheFarts · 03/05/2019 18:35

My advice is to get behind the wheel as soon as possible and go for a drive, even a little one! I remember when I passed my test, admittedly more than a few years ago, I went to peel the L plates off the car and said to myself 'hell, I can DRIVE this if I want to. All by myself'. So I did, drove one mile to the post office and the one mile back. It was empowering, if a bit scary. I'd just go for it, you can do it!!!

pinkcardi · 03/05/2019 18:37

Also, don't worry about your questions. It's liberating to make your own decisions and realise that actually, it doesn't matter if you take the wrong lane (just correct it) or if you missed a gap in the traffic at a junction (just wait for the next one, no biggie)

There is also a pleasure in real driving vs perfect driving test driving. I often hit the curb when I parallel park now etc, it just absolutely doesn't matter

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InTheHeatofLisbon · 03/05/2019 18:38

Congratulations!

I've been driving 6 months and only recently attempted long journeys and motorways on my own without another adult with me.

Familiar shortish journeys were a great confidence builder for me (school run, supermarket, Dad's house) and recently I was happy enough to drive the kids to the football in Glasgow without another adult (motorway and heavy traffic). So I'm glad I took the time to get more confident.

Good luck Smile

Finfintytint · 03/05/2019 18:40

Short familiar journeys every day and progress to longer less familiar drives. Ditch dp in the car if he’s no benefit. No music. It’s a distraction. After 30 odd years of driving I like to concentrate on the task in hand and do not listen to the radio at all. Treat everyone and everything as a potential hazard and you’ll be fine.

Mayjane5 · 03/05/2019 18:41

Yes as the others have said get out as much as you can, start with your local streets and then go a bit further. If you get lost or stressed remember you can always pull over when it’s safe and get your bearings.

Slazengerbag · 03/05/2019 18:41

I was a really nervous new driver when I passed aged 30. I used to drive wherever I could to get practice in (only short journeys to start) and I would leave in plenty of time. When I did the school run I would get there 15 minutes before everyone else and would just park up and read my book. They thought of getting there when everyone else did and being in the busyness of it all made me even more nervous. I would then sit in the car chatting to the dc until it was quiet and I left after the rush.

When I went to the supermarket I parked furthest away from the shop in the quiet areas so I could re park if I needed to without someone waiting to get past me and making me more flustered.

It does take time but with each drive you do independently your confidence grows a bit more. Do you have P plates?

Usuallyinthemiddle · 03/05/2019 18:41

Best advice I remember is worry about your front end, the back will follow it!

Well done!

stayfit · 03/05/2019 18:43

Congrats! When I just passed I made sure I drove a little daily as many advised if you don't you don't develop the road confidence. I choose off peak times and routes which I knew well (even there took wrong turns/lanes) and slowly tried a new road or roundabout gradually. Give enough time if you have to reach somewhere for an appointment or school pick up so there is no pressure. First nursery pick up I left 35 mins early so I could figure out parking etc.

Still18atheart · 03/05/2019 18:43

What I did was go out on your own on roads that you know really well. Like routes you did in lessons or routes your practiced on your test. Or if you drove between lessons with whoever go on those routes as well. Build your confidence by sticking to what you know

Still18atheart · 03/05/2019 18:43

Also well done for passing your test Flowers

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/05/2019 18:45

Remember that your examiner considered you to be a competent driver.
Have some motorway lessons as soon as possible. I have friends who passed their test years ago but never drive on the motorway.

Xyzzzzz · 03/05/2019 18:45

I passed 6 months ago and I’m a nervous driver. I just drove local atm I can get myself to work, supermarket, city centre etc. If I need to go somewhere new I set of with plenty of time and sometimes I’ve practiced beforehand. I’m happy taking slow steps, I can get where I need to go.

Teacakeandalatte · 03/05/2019 18:47

My tip is not to take your DP! Go for little drives on your own to somewhere that is easy to park.
You can also have some more driving lessons for advanced driving and in your own car.

Babdoc · 03/05/2019 18:49

Congratulations on passing your test!
P plates are a good idea to warn drivers behind you that you might still be a bit nervous/slow/ liable to stall, and to warn them to give you a little extra room and not hassle you by tailgating.
There is no substitute for practice - get behind the wheel as often as possible, drive regular trips to build confidence, then venture further afield.
Some new drivers have an extra lesson with their instructor post test, to cover motorway and night driving.
One final tip - don’t be intimidated by other drivers behind you, or pressured to go faster than you feel comfortable with. They all had to learn, they were also new drivers once. They can bloody wait!
Good luck, OP. You’ll soon be a seasoned driver and enjoying yourself.

Aquamarine1029 · 03/05/2019 18:50

Congrats! Drive as much as possible. Nothing else can help you gain confidence. You have to get behind the wheel and drive. Be sure to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, and even if someone is impatient and beeps at you, IGNORE them and stay calm. They can wait! As said above, do not allow yourself to be distracted by anything. Music, your phone, reaching for something, etc. If you are travelling at higher speeds especially, pay attention to the cars that are down the road from you, not just the vehicle directly in front of you. If you see brake lights start to light up, that means you need to slow down, too, even if the person in front of you isn't. At higher speeds, you will be upon whatever is causing the slow down in seconds. Lastly, don't trust anyone. Don't trust that everyone will stop at the red light or stop sign. Don't trust that some idiot won't cut you off. Stay calm, stay alert, and DON'T SPEED. You will do brilliantly!

Original poster
Witchofzog · 03/05/2019 18:57

Thank you everyone. Some really good advice here. I think I was more nervous because the car sales place was in an unfamiliar location so I felt at an immediate disadvantage. And then there was dp saying "I would have braked sooner" "Did you check your mirrors properly thrn?" "Ooh it's weird. I don't feel in control" Hmm

I am going to do what others have said and will start doing small journeys on my own to help build my confidence. I can't get a parking space at work yet so there is no urgency to drive longer distances just yet thank goodness

OP posts:
Baylis · 03/05/2019 19:32

It's so nervewracking being a new driver! What I did was go for short drives by myself (I had a phone with me in case I got into difficulty). I did short journeys and gradually increased them, always by myself so I didn't have anyone interfering!

SlobDylan · 03/05/2019 19:34

Congratulations on passing your test. Some great advice here.
My other tips are to leave yourself loads of time to get where you’re going, especially if it’s an unfamiliar journey.
If you find yourself in the wrong lane or something at any time, just carry on and then find somewhere to turn round or get back on your route. Wear P plates and take as much time as you need at junctions etc. Ignore w@nkers behind you, you just have to worry about making your decisions safely.

Good luck! - it really, really does get easier the more you do it

BMW6 · 03/05/2019 20:17

It's light from about 5am (or even earlier depending how far south you are) - if I were you I'd set alarm for a really really early morning drives. Hardly anyone else will be on the roads. Build your confidence up to heavier traffic gradually.

Original poster
Witchofzog · 04/05/2019 15:38

Thank you Smile I will hopefully have a car in the next couple of weeks and will be buying my P plates in the next day or so. Then it's short daily familiar journeys and building these up to longer journeys. I will be booking a motorway lesson in for a Sunday morning too as advised by my instructor

OP posts:
Teladi · 04/05/2019 15:42

Agree with all the others. I have a P plate on the rear of my car and I feel better knowing that other drivers are aware I'm new to this. I've been driving solo 2 months now and tbh it is still a bit of a thought every time I take the car out but it's getting easier and easier.
I do like music in the car but if you find it distracting, skip it!

InTheHeatofLisbon · 04/05/2019 15:44

Also, just be aware that huge lorries and buses sometimes need both lanes of a roundabout to get through, so hanging back a bit is sensible.

And some people drive like dicks, you can't control their driving, only your own.

InTheHeatofLisbon · 04/05/2019 15:46

Oh and when you encounter said dicks, muttering "I hope your next shite is a hedgehog" is very satisfying Grin

Singleandproud · 04/05/2019 15:53

P plates so that others are aware, some will still try to intimidate you etc but you’ve done your best to warn them.

Drive using a sat nav especially on long journeys but even on short local ones to remind you which roads to go down, they give you plenty of warning so you can prepare and position yourself properly. I have one that tells you which lane to be in which is useful on longer journeys on busier roads.

It took me about 6 months to be comfortable enough to drive around with the radio on and I was still amazed we all made it back alive after each journey for about a year.