To use a p plate..

[BelleSauvage9]

Even though I haven't just passed my test?

Getting a new car today and it's much bigger than I'm used to. I'm really nervous about driving it and so worried about fitting through gaps and not hitting other cars as my spatial awareness is crap 😬 I wonder if using a p plate will mean other drivers give me a bit more room and time as I expect I'll be driving more carefully for a while while I get used to it..?

I wouldn't have got a car this much bigger but I'm due dc3 in 6 weeks and we really need the space!

I would

Great idea. I’m not an aggressive driver but I do give P drivers a bit more space and expect them to do random things at roundabouts!

P plates are like L plates - they make impatient drivers even worse and want to ‘get past you’ etc.

Honestly no, I wouldn't be giving a P plate more room, I would drive normally - but I would expect them to be slightly nervous drivers.

However putting a P plate on a large car - I'd judge someone who did that - it does make some other drivers get more annoyed / impatient I've seen, so I would be wary of the reception you're expecting to get!

I find it’s much easier to see and gauge the space in a bigger car than a smaller car.

I think P plates are a waste of time, as the PP said, aggressive drivers won’t care anyway.

(incidentally I followed a car the other day for about 2 miles that had a P plate, it used zero indicators for the whole journey!)

Yeah, I had considered that it might make some drivers MORE impatient with me rather than less!

As an experienced driver, often in a rush, a P plate on the car in front tells me the driver is probably less confident, less competent and still getting to grips with driving on their own.

I tend to leave more space, expect slower reactions at junctions and not assume indicating and braking will be as timely. In short, it makes me more patient and tolerant.

Size of car is irrelevant. My first car was a company Sierra which I drove about a week after passing my test. I didn't have any choice.

@MintJulia I suppose that's what I'm wanting to indicate - that I'm less confident at the moment

OP - P plate is up to you. I just followed a P plate driver for a couple of miles. They were driving very very cautiously below the speed limit. I gave them plenty of space. The white van behind me was doing his nut, flashing his lights and itching to get past. Whatever you decide, you will be surprised how quickly you get the feel of the new car's size. I'm always wary getting in a different car but you do adjust very quickly! Good luck.

I hate P plates more than L plates & i wouldn’t keep back and give you more space - i’d drive normally but be more wary of your reactions whilst thinking if you were that bad then how the hell did you pass a test?!

A bigger car (if you can actually drive) is fine. The car drives the same way and you get used to the
dimensions and gaps fairly quickly

I have heard they're a target for crash for cash types. I wouldn't tbh.