Just passed my driving test and need some tips and advice?

Question

I have just recently passed my driving test at the tender age of 32 and finding that I keep making stupid mistakes like stalling or selecting the wrong gear etc. I am staying local to my home but still going far enough to drive on different roads, junctions, crossroads, and roundabouts. I have taken an unhealthy dislike to right turns I am not avoiding them but if I know, I can go a slightly different route and avoid busy right turns I find myself doing this. Is this normal behaviour with all new drivers? As obviously the real learning has just began now I have passed. I also have to get use to a new car, as the one I used for my lessons was the instructor’s car. I would appreciate any tips, advice that any of you experienced drivers can offer.

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who gave me some good advice, I had a drive this evening in a very quiet area and I am already working on my weak points.

Answer 1

Some people take to driving like a fish to water and some don't. Don't worry about it. It will come. Practice, practice, practice, that's all there is to it. And force yourself to take those right turns. Being a bit nervous when you get in your car is healthy. It keeps you on your toes and safe.

As for your gear selection problem, do you have a rpm gage. If yes use that to know when to shift until you get the feel of the engine and its noise. Otherwise, when the car is too sluggish or the engine is revving like mad, you're in the wrong gear.

Good luck.

Answer 2

1st Congrad's on the new license! Never too late to get one.

It sounds like your doing great on staying closer to home since you are not yet confident in your driving skills, but its also good that you are venturing out far enough that you are getting practice with various traffic/road conditions.

A couple tips I remember from back in the day when i was learning 20+ yrs ago that your Drivers Ed teacher may or may not have passed along are.... Until your more comfortable, turn corners hand over hand. If your car has a hood ornament (when I learned in early 80s that was the norm, but I havent seen many cars these days that still have them) use the hood ornament to gauge where you are in your lane, as well as making the right hand turns. If your in the USA, while driving straight on a highway, your hood ornament should appear to be lined up with the white outside line (shoulder) this will put you in approximately the center of your lane. You can also use the hood ornament as a guide while turning corners. If your driving a newer model car, that does not have hood ornament, I guess you could still gauge it by where the hood ornament would be if it had one.

Stalling & selecting wrong gears - Im assuming your driving a manual (stick shift)? To keep from stalling at stops, remember to put car in 1st gear and s-l-o-w-l-y ease out on clutch until you feel it grab, then ease your foot on the gas and let the clutch out rest of the way. Do you have access to an automatic? You could practice without the hassle of the clutch. Then when your comfortable driving a automatic, then switch back to the stick shift.

Always look where you want your car to go...Your steering will follow your gaze (sorta speak)

Practice right hand turns in a parking lot when there are not alot of cars around. Pull into parking lot, pull up to some stop signs, and practice turning right hand corners. Or go out on a Sunday morning or in the evenings when there is not alot of traffic, and practice the right hand corners that are giving you problems. This way if you stall, or misjudge the corner, there's no traffic around.

I know this is long - sorry - prob more then you asked for.

Good luck, and remember to wear your seatbelt!

Answer 3

I took a CDL class at the age of 44 and I know what you are going through.I also used to be afraid of right turns and being in the right lane for a curve to the right! Terrified me!!!
Practice in your driveway, to learn the gears when you can change gears without looking or thinking of where they are then practice changing gears while driving.
The reason you are stalling is your clutching, Try letting the clutch out slower not to slow though. Find a large parking lot or somewhere where traffic is minimal for learning to clutch while rolling, you will feel safer. as for right turns you need to be comfortable with the size of your car, you will learn when to start the turn and miss the curb and many people still run over curbs! Don't worry to much although it is not good for the car to run over a curb, while you are in a parking lot practice turning into a parking spot it will help you learn a right turn and get you comfortable with doing so. In a parking lot you can get out and look at where your wheels are in conjunction with a right turn, pretend that the line is a curb and try not to run over the line/curb and good luck it takes time to be a good driver and you already have a good base as you know that there is a lot to learn. I still learn things all the time and am happy for it. Also learn how to judge how fast a car is coming at you before pulling out of an intersection to avoid being broadsided. This is a common error that 20 yr veteren drivers make.

I recieved my drivers license when I was 15 and now am 46 with 0 accidents. I am giveing you this info for your comfort! I drive cars and 18 wheelers, I have had a CDL for 18 wheelers only for 2 yrs.

Answer 4

It only takes me a couple of days to get used to a new car. Like the perfect weight to use on the acceleration and deceleration, turning radius,etc.

Just always be careful. Don't follow too close to other cars. Make sure you watch the cars next to you because ppl have a habit of not checking their blind spots when changing lanes, make sure you do.

It just takes time to get used to driving. Most important thing I learned is that no matter how safe or good your driving it doesn't mean everyone else is as well so don't expect it. Pretend everyone is a bad driver and stay on your guard.

Answer 5

Drive with an experienced driver with you for a while. Take things at your pace and don't let anyone push you. It takes three years of driving in all four seasons to really have the "sixth sense" of being a good driver.

You will know when you are ready for more serious driving. Something inside of you will have a respect for the road, the car, driving but you will get a feeling of I'm ready for this now.

Answer 6

when you go driving go without the radio
until you get use to the road.
drive to the speed limit this means don't speed and don't drive too slow.
If you just got your new car
take the time to get to know it
that is know where the emergency brake is
the gear shift
you may have passed your driving test
but work on things you are still having problems with
It would be best to stay off the congested roads and practice what needs to be worked on
whether its parking
approaching a sign
if you drive on the road go with the flow not
against it.

Answer 7

Hey, I been a licensed driver for about week now at the age of 31. So I understand your concerns. You are a fresh driver and you don't want to make no mistakes. With practice you will get better. My advice is have get someone that is a good driver and ask them to teach you more on how to drive more comfortable. It is like riding a bike. It is scary at first but with practice you will get better at it. You just have to make and accomplish your goal. You can do it. Do listen to all the other negative reviews, because I feel you. Take care and good luck:)

I ask my aunt to teach me how to get on freeway so I will not have any fears, in order to get rid of your fears you do have to face them, it only will make you stronger.

Answer 8

Practise and familiarity to your car and the roads that's all u need. I passed my test after 4 tries so by the time i went on the road by myself i was confident. i would advice u get a car that's not too fast as well then work your way up. Also don't be intimidated by the hogs and show offs. good luck

Answer 9

Make sure and check your mirrors, and even exagerate it, acyually move your head so the instructor will now for sure that you are using your mirrors. And secondly just stay calm, even if you make a complete **** up, forget bout it and continune on and focus with the rest of your test. I nearly crashed doing my test, and was so sure i had failed, but i didnt, i passed. If you are unsure of a direction the instructor has given you, ask hm to repeat it. and last off all dont go to slow, alot of people make this mistake, and the instructor will want you to be making progress. I got docked 3 times for going too slow in my test. Jesus now im starting to wonder how the hell i passed it

Answer 10

First, get yourself some "p" plates so people know you are inexperienced - they will afford you more respect when you make a mistake - making you feel more relaxed and confident.

The UK Driving test has one of the highest pass standards around, so if you got through that, then you can get through anything.

Keep practicing - try to go out at quiet times to build up your confidence.