7 First Time Driver Tips after 1 year of getting my Drivers License(DL)!

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The stress sweat comes right as you’re getting in the car with a driving instructor to go for a road test to hopefully get your driver’s license. Or it could go even before that, starting to know and learn what all the car functions and buttons are. I’ve been there and it’s not easy, I only drive if I need to, it’s not for pleasure but a necessity! May 2023 is one year since I got my Drivers License and boy o boy has it been a rollercoaster of experiences!!!. Here you will get first time driver tips from me on all that I’ve learned that will help you be safe out there!!

1.)PRACTICE!

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As I mentioned in my earlier blog post (How i passed my driving road test) Link to latest blog post biggest help was PRACTICE!

Practice Practice

Practice Practice Practice Practice

Practice Practice

Practice Practice Practice Practice

Practice Practice

This is because once you have a consistency of the feel and use of a vehicle as a driving beginner you can be more at ease before going into the Road test. Being comfortable driving will come with time, but at the beginning stages just being knowledgeable and having hands-on practice is key to getting your Driver’s License. Plus reading and studying for the written exam of course!!! Taking any opportunity to go as a passenger to friends and family when they are driving will help you observe what they do and can be of value.

2.)Have minimal to none if possible Distractions!!

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“In 2016, 3,450 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes, and 391,000 people were injured. NHTSA estimates that over 660,000 people drive distracted every day”- (NHTSA). This is because driving itself is difficult plus distractions of your own + plus distractions from the world you can’t control = Stressful driving situation. Examples are not eating when driving, not using your phone when needing to change or add a song, having shoes that fit not sandals, always driving when rested if possible so you are alert, etc, etc, etc. Just driving will be hard as a newcomer, so minimize distractions to the best of your abilities. First time drivers’ priority is handling the vehicle with the most confidence which will be done faster paying attention and taking in all the driving experiences. Rather than driving and doing other things at the same time!!!

3.)Give yourself Extra Time before going anywhere!!!

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YESS traffic is a thing, but the extra time is for the unfamiliarity of roads and where to go since it’s all new for you. The uncertainty of where to position the vehicle through roads, roads you have not encountered yet, and things you haven’t learned in actual driving time apart from books or videos are tough. So having extra time is going to be of assistance to you! Depending on the distance you’re driving to, make sure you have time aside. This will only benefit you!!!!

4.) Every driving decision you make on the road will not ultimately affect you but the other person driving as well.

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“In 2016 there were 6,296,000 police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes; 37,461 people died and 2,443,000 people were injured. An average of 96 people died each day in motor vehicle crashes. One fatality every 15 seconds.” ( RMIIA). So every decision you make driving make sure you’re 100% sure it’s safe to act upon. Never assume when driving, but know and make decisions that will keep you safe. If you have to wait and do a full circle around the block instead of putting yourself in a dangerous and time-sensitive situation do it. Example: At first seeing a gap from a vehicle to where you are positioned is challenging to know if you can go and drive or not. That is something with time again too, you will know. Always make safe choices for others and yourself that you won’t regret in years to come.

5.) Road Rage is a thing!! Drive ALWAYS DEEEFENSSIVEELYYY!!!

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Yess you hear me. As a first time driver people will get irritated at your slow speed at first and will drive past you, honk at you, yell maybe, etc, etc. But driving defensively makes you safer than if you don’t. Just because you are right in being able to do a driving maneuver or it’s “your green or your turn” but there is a vehicle trying to aggressively pass you let him. Be on the safe side and let them do what they need to do. Example: Here are some links to youtube videos from Smart Drive Test on how to drive defensively that have helped me.

1- https://youtu.be/K11S1S4C1qA

2- https://youtu.be/Ju3jSCTEBsE

3- https://youtu.be/Ct_A9DoGyyg

4- https://www.youtube.com/live/2aw7E-jwy_U?feature=share

6.)The fastest you can get your own vehicle and car insurance is favorable!!

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“Every year, roughly 1.3 million people die in car accidents worldwide – an average of 3,287 deaths per day.” (SaferAmerica, 2019) & (Driving-Tests.org). So there are many types of car insurance in case you get in an accident. Also if other people get involved and vehicles get ruined, you know as a learner you have a higher probability of crashing since you’re stepping into unknown territory. Yes, at the beginning you might borrow someone’s vehicle to practice, but try your best to save up for a vehicle of your own. Being in an accident on someone’s vehicle is not so cute, so I’m trying to warn you and let you be aware. Being in a vehicle you’re comfortable using for some time is preferable for the road test for obtaining your license. (Since different vehicles’ functions might be more or less different in how they work. Example: The brake, the steering wheel, the feel a vehicle gives you and perspective to the road, if it is manual or automatic, etc)

7.) People drive crazy!! Be alert to everything!!!

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“66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving.”- (SafeMotorist.com, 2019) & (Driving-Tests.org). Being vigilant of how people position their vehicles on the road is urgent. Always try to avoid people driving that are unsure of how they are driving and try your best to overtake and get out of their way the safest fastest way is a must. Always being alert from people driving unsure, aggressively, or unconfident from observing is key to you being safe. Being alert is essential to first time drivers because many things happen within seconds and needing to grasp everything and process the information whilst being safe on the road, will be easier to manage with time but being aware of this day 1 of driving is valuable.

All in all, as a first time driver there are many duties and responsibilities added to you for your safety and others. I hope these tips and lessons I learned are of benefit to you and that you can apply them as soon as possible on the road. They won’t uplift pride in you but humbleness since it’s the key to being able to drive and not let people overtake your emotions. {If you’re a Christian, the Lord is the only one who can help you and guide you when driving and not being let by the flesh but the spirit}.

From Kenia Lievanos

Write to you next time!!

Let me know in the comments if you have applied these tips to your driving!!! And if they have been of help in any way!!

Citations:

1- Cost of auto crashes & statistics. RMIIA. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rmiia.org/auto/traffic_safety/Cost_of_crashes.asp

2- Home. NHTSA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/

3- Driving-Tests.org. (n.d.). 2023 driving statistics: The ultimate list of driving stats. Driving Statistics: The Ultimate List of Car Accident Statistics [2023]. Retrieved from https://driving-tests.org/driving-statistics/

Youtube links driving defensively:

1- https://youtu.be/K11S1S4C1qA

2- https://youtu.be/Ju3jSCTEBsE

3- https://youtu.be/Ct_A9DoGyyg

4- https://www.youtube.com/live/2aw7E-jwy_U?feature=share

Driving statistics: (If you want to read more driving statistics 🙂

1- https://driving-tests.org/driving-statistics/

Photo Credits In order appearance: