Top 12 Tips for New Drivers | UK Driving Advice

Learning to drive is exciting. But it can feel overwhelming at first. Controlling the car, watching traffic, and staying alert all take practice. That said, with the right habits, you’ll soon feel more confident behind the wheel.

Here are 12 practical tips to help new drivers build confidence and stay safe on the road.

12 Practical Tips for New Drivers

1. Familiarise Yourself with Your Car – Learn the controls, adjust mirrors and seating before driving.
2. Find Your Right Driving Position – Sit comfortably with clear visibility and easy access to controls.
3. Plan Your Journey – Know your route, anticipate traffic, and consider weather conditions.
4. Avoid Distractions – Keep phones, loud music, and unnecessary chatter out of reach.
5. Keep a Roadside Emergency Kit – Carry essentials like a warning triangle, torch, and first aid.
6. Use a P-plate – Let other drivers know you’re still building experience and confidence.
7. Take Your Time – Be patient at junctions, signals, and when overtaking.
8. Drive At Night or on Weekends – Practice in quieter conditions to build confidence.
9. Take One or Two Passengers – Limit distractions until you’re more confident.
10. Take Breaks if You’re Driving Long Distances – Rest every couple of hours to stay alert.
11. Read Highway Codes – Keep reviewing the rules to build safe, lasting habits.
12. Consider the Advanced Driving Course – Improve skills and lower insurance with extra training.

1. Familiarise Yourself with Your Car

First, familiarise yourself with the car you are driving. Before driving, sit in a car for a while and learn about all the different switches, buttons, and controls, such as lights, wipers, indicators, and the hazard buttons. Try them all one by one while parked, so you know how they work. 

Another key step is adjusting the seat so that you can easily reach the pedals and steering. Set all external and internal mirrors so that you can clearly see all around. 

All these checks help you get used to the brakes, clutch, and accelerator, as every car feels different. It makes you comfortable driving on the road without any hesitation. 

2. Find Your Right Driving Position

Being comfortable is crucial for safe driving. It’s important to set your seat in the right position so that you can reach the pedals and steering comfortably. Set all external and internal mirrors according to your sitting. Also, make sure that you can easily access all the controls without leaning forward.

Sit high enough so you can see a good amount of the bonnet, which will help you with a better road analysis. 

A good position helps in long drives and even gives you better control in emergencies.

3. Plan Your Journey

Planning your journey before driving reduces stress and keeps you focused on your driving. Plan every journey, even if you are heading to a nearby supermarket. Planning means knowing which side of the road to drive on, which turns to take, and when it’s safe to overtake. Running the route through in your head makes you more focused once you’re driving.

Also, consider things that are not in your control, like the weather and traffic rush. It will make you more conscious about unwanted situations.

4. Avoid Distractions

Avoiding distractions is one of the most important habits for new drivers. Clear out anything in the car that you think will distract you from driving, like mobile phones, loud music, and even chatting with passengers. Because even a second of distraction can result in an accident.

Mobile phones are one of the most distracting objects and the main cause of car accidents. It’s strictly prohibited to use a mobile phone while driving, and it doesn’t matter how experienced you are. Also, avoid using a mobile hands-free as much as possible because it’s also a distraction.

5. Keep a Roadside Emergency Kit

Accidents and breakdowns can happen anytime, so it’s best to be prepared. Having roadside emergency equipment gives you peace of mind in that.

In an emergency kit, there should be the following things: a warning triangle, high-visibility jackets, first aid supplies, and a torch. Keeping these things can help you avoid unexpected delays and emergencies. 

6. Use a P-plate

A P-plate is usually used when a person has just learnt to drive a car. If you have passed the driving test, you can still use a P-plate. It will show other drivers that you are new on the road. You don’t need to use it forever, though it is a useful way to build confidence.

7. Take Your Time

As a new driver, you don’t need to rush. You don’t need to make hasty decisions while overtaking, at junctions, or at traffic signals. Otherwise, rushing can cost you more and also harm your newly acquired licence. Being on the road is all about patience. The more patient you are, the more confident you will become with every trip.  

8. Drive At Night or on Weekends

To be more confident in your driving skills, try driving at night or on weekends when there is often less traffic. Also, driving at night teaches you how to use headlights properly in reduced visibility. Gradually, this experience will boost your confidence in driving on busier roads.

9. Take One or Two Passengers

The best practice for new drivers is to keep the number of passengers low. The reason is that more passengers can be more distracting and even increase the chance of taking risks. More heads mean more advice from them and a higher chance of taking risks. Once you overcome the fear, then no worries about more passengers in the car.  

10. Take Breaks if You’re Driving Long Distances

For new drivers, it is important to take a break if you are driving long distances. After every 1 to 2 hours, take a short break and stretch your legs. If you have another driver with you, let them take over for a while. Otherwise, long-duration driving could slow your reaction times and reduce concentration.

11. Read Highway Codes

In a driving course, you’ll learn about highway codes, but here you have to practically follow them. New drivers need to read and strictly follow them. Regularly reviewing could help build your driving habits. Also, it prepares you for unexpected situations and reduces the risk of fines.

12. Consider the Advanced Driving Course

Once you are confident with your basic driving skills, it’s time to consider an advanced driving course. It improves your post-test road skills and also reduces your insurance costs. This training helps you anticipate hazards, improve vehicle control, and reduce the risk of accidents.

Conclusion: Top Tips for New Drivers 

Learning to drive is exciting, but it also takes extra care and responsibility. By following these 12 steps, you’ll build confidence and develop habits from the start. Each step helps you become a more responsible and capable driver. Take your time, practise regularly, and always prioritise safety. 

New drivers are more prone to accidents and can damage their cars. It’s important to be keen while driving on roads and never be overconfident.

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