How to stay safe when learning to drive

Learning to drive can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. To ensure you get your driving journey off to the best start, it’s important to stay safe and develop the confidence needed to navigate the roads. In addition to ensuring you have the right learner insurance, you might want to consider these tips to make your lessons safe and productive.   

Choose the right environment

When you first get behind the wheel, you might want to stick to quiet residential areas or empty car parks to build confidence without the pressure of heavy traffic. Avoiding congested areas during the early stages will allow you to focus on the basics of vehicle control and manoeuvring without distractions.
Once you’re comfortable, you can gradually transition to busier locations and different driving conditions, such as rural roads.

Stay focused behind the wheel

Distractions can be a significant hazard for new drivers, so it’s essential to stay focused while driving. This means avoiding anything that could take your attention away from the road, such as mobile phones, eating or chatting excessively with passengers. Being alert is particularly important in areas with high pedestrian activity or complex junctions.

Familiarise yourself with road signs and traffic rules

Understanding and recognising road signs is crucial for safe driving as they provide essential information about speed limits, hazards and road layouts. Get to know the Highway Code and take online quizzes to test your knowledge before heading out on your lessons.

You can take also take advantage of modern digital tools and software that make learning more interactive.

Practise with a qualified instructor

While practising with friends or family can be helpful, it’s essential to take lessons with a qualified driving instructor who can properly prepare you for passing your test. You’ll be taught how to navigate manoeuvres such as reversing, parallel parking and stopping at the side of the road.

Stay calm under pressure

Learning to drive can be stressful, especially in complex situations like navigating roundabouts or dealing with aggressive drivers. The key is to stay calm and focused. If you feel overwhelmed, find a safe place to pull over and take a moment to gather yourself before continuing.

Be prepared for the test backlog

Learner drivers still face long delays for both lessons and driving tests, with over 75% of centres having waiting times over three months, despite extra slots being made available. This can increase stress levels, so it’s important to stay patient and focus on mastering your skills rather than rushing into a test unprepared.

Finally, keep in mind that the aim is to become a safe and confident driver, not just to pass the test as quickly as possible.