Passing your driving test is a liberating feeling, and it comes as a relief that you won’t have to go through a nerve-wracking test ever again. However, you will soon realize that passing your driving test is only the start of the learning curve. There are many more lessons to be learned before you can call yourself a confident and experienced driver.
In fact, it could be said that you only start driving ‘normally’ after you’ve passed your test. This is because you will no longer be self-consciously following specific regulated techniques taught by your driving instructor, and will be able to develop your own driving style. No one enjoys being observed as they do something, so you will likely begin driving more naturally when you spend more time alone in your car.
However, this is not to say your first few months will be without challenges. There are a lot of details to consider and tough lessons to learn. Here in this post, we have highlighted all the things you need to know as a new driver.
Insurance Will Be Costly If You Are a Teenager
If you are learning to drive, or you have just passed your test, the likelihood is that you are a teenager. This is the perfect time to pass your test because you will have fewer preconceptions about driving. And it gives you the ideal opportunity to develop some much-needed independence.
However, one of the steepest hurdles to overcome as a young driver will inevitably be the cost of insurance. Car insurance is never cheap as a young person, especially if you are in your mid-teens. It is worthwhile finding out how much is car insurance for a 16 year old, because you may find it is too expensive for you to afford. Although this is a shame, it is best that you know how much your insurance is upfront, so you can set about saving up for it.
Don’t Be Overconfident, Start With Small Journeys If Possible
There’s no shortage of statistics that reveal new drivers are among those who cause the most accidents on the road. One of the inevitable reasons for this is inexperience mixed with overconfidence, particularly among teenage drivers.
It is great to be confident in your driving because it will make you decisive and calm under pressure. This actually helps minimize mistakes, but if you are overconfident and inexperienced, it is a recipe for disaster.
Don’t let this happen to you. If you are just starting out, stick to small journeys at first, building your experience until you are ready to tackle longer journeys, especially if you have friends on board.
Just Because You’ve Passed Your Test, Doesn’t Mean You Need to Stop Learning
One of the most important realizations new drivers have is that their learning curve only begins when they pass their test. It can be easy to believe that once you’ve passed the theory and practical tests, you know everything you need to know about driving, but this isn’t the case. Driving to pass your driving test and driving naturally are very different skills – just as passing a school science exam doesn’t mean you are an accomplished scientist.
Be open to learning new aspects of driving when you pass your test, and never stop trying to improve your driving skills and mechanical knowledge
