New driver… what would you tell them?
Discussion
one thing that sprung to mind again today, always acknowledge a courtesy/kindness, there is little more annoying than being totally ignored by some ignorant fool after you've made their driving easier in some way.
A wave of thanks, a smile, whatever, costs absolutely nothing and courteous people tend to find goodwill extends their way more often.
It used to just be wannabe tough guys and the lout element who lacked any sort of manners, sadly such behaviour has infected whole swathes, not suggesting this applies to the OP's daughter.
A wave of thanks, a smile, whatever, costs absolutely nothing and courteous people tend to find goodwill extends their way more often.
It used to just be wannabe tough guys and the lout element who lacked any sort of manners, sadly such behaviour has infected whole swathes, not suggesting this applies to the OP's daughter.
i put my wife and daughter on a instructed track day and a skid pan day so they had a reasonable understanding of car control (daughter also did a night driving course the week she passed)
a few years later wife had a rear tyre blow out on an MR2 at 90 and caught it!! she was able to get over to the hard shoulder
a few years later wife had a rear tyre blow out on an MR2 at 90 and caught it!! she was able to get over to the hard shoulder
If your daughter has not been on a motorway , take her there and show her what it is all about,
Also night driving as both can be scary for new drivers .
Tell her to not speed ,and on no account to use her phone when driving, and always wear a seatbelt ,
Learn how to change a wheel (assuming there is a spare )
Learn how to check , oil,, water, washers , tyre pressures , tread depth on tyres etc etc as most have been said already also how to put petrol or diesel in, but not both or the wrong one ,and if she does, not to start the car.
To always be alert and check her mirrors a lot so she is aware of anyone tailgating her or emergency vehicles approaching.
To keep up to date on highway code rules and to start reading roadcraft or similar books on driving.
Also night driving as both can be scary for new drivers .
Tell her to not speed ,and on no account to use her phone when driving, and always wear a seatbelt ,
Learn how to change a wheel (assuming there is a spare )
Learn how to check , oil,, water, washers , tyre pressures , tread depth on tyres etc etc as most have been said already also how to put petrol or diesel in, but not both or the wrong one ,and if she does, not to start the car.
To always be alert and check her mirrors a lot so she is aware of anyone tailgating her or emergency vehicles approaching.
To keep up to date on highway code rules and to start reading roadcraft or similar books on driving.
Adjudtiver the seat height so she can easily see over the steering wheel. At least her chin above the level of the top of the steering wheel.
I see too many drivers (mainly women) sitting so low that I can't see the middle of their nose above the wheel. The worst was driving with one hand on the top of the wheel & leaning towards the centre of the car to peer around her hand.
Also advanced training. Some IAM groups (e. g. Gloucestershire & Bristol) have sponsorship to provide the compete course free to younger drivers.
I see too many drivers (mainly women) sitting so low that I can't see the middle of their nose above the wheel. The worst was driving with one hand on the top of the wheel & leaning towards the centre of the car to peer around her hand.
Also advanced training. Some IAM groups (e. g. Gloucestershire & Bristol) have sponsorship to provide the compete course free to younger drivers.
A couple of ones from me, in addition to the excellent ones already posted:
Keep the windscreen clean inside and out.
Always think "what can't I see". For example, is there a pedestrian about to cross behind that bus, is there a stationary car just around this blind bend.
Drive extra carefully around pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are around.
Don't get angry at other driver's mistakes. Instead, think what could I have done differently to anticipate their action and avoid becoming caught up in it.
Don't get stressed about being slowed down by another driver. It usually makes no material difference to your travel time.
Keep the windscreen clean inside and out.
Always think "what can't I see". For example, is there a pedestrian about to cross behind that bus, is there a stationary car just around this blind bend.
Drive extra carefully around pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are around.
Don't get angry at other driver's mistakes. Instead, think what could I have done differently to anticipate their action and avoid becoming caught up in it.
Don't get stressed about being slowed down by another driver. It usually makes no material difference to your travel time.
Salted_Peanut said:
_Hoppers said:
MBVitoria said:
jaf65 said:
After 30 years of driving I spent a day with Reg Local, on here and Youtube, taught me about limit points. It has been a revelation.
Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
Beat me to it, I'm astonished that the concept of the limit point doesn't appear to be routinely taught. Absolutely essential knowledge on bendy roads. Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
The big yin said:
If your daughter has not been on a motorway , take her there and show her what it is all about,
Also night driving as both can be scary for new drivers .
Tell her to not speed ,and on no account to use her phone when driving, and always wear a seatbelt ,
Learn how to change a wheel (assuming there is a spare )
Learn how to check , oil,, water, washers , tyre pressures , tread depth on tyres etc etc as most have been said already also how to put petrol or diesel in, but not both or the wrong one ,and if she does, not to start the car.
To always be alert and check her mirrors a lot so she is aware of anyone tailgating her or emergency vehicles approaching.
To keep up to date on highway code rules and to start reading roadcraft or similar books on driving.
Hi big Yin, all new drivers have to know how to check oil etc... as part of the driving test, but, her "new" car will be different to her instructors, so good advice to know how to check "power" levels.... OP it's her car.... make her responsible to check it at least weekly especially in this weather as no washer fluid is alone a legal requirement and most down have enough "antifreeze/alcohol based fluid" concentrate in them at cold spellsAlso night driving as both can be scary for new drivers .
Tell her to not speed ,and on no account to use her phone when driving, and always wear a seatbelt ,
Learn how to change a wheel (assuming there is a spare )
Learn how to check , oil,, water, washers , tyre pressures , tread depth on tyres etc etc as most have been said already also how to put petrol or diesel in, but not both or the wrong one ,and if she does, not to start the car.
To always be alert and check her mirrors a lot so she is aware of anyone tailgating her or emergency vehicles approaching.
To keep up to date on highway code rules and to start reading roadcraft or similar books on driving.
1. You're not Lewis Hamilton. Slow down. The speed limit is just that, a limit. If you're in a built up area, knock a few mph off. You'll get there at the same time due to lights, junctions etc most of the time anyway. Might as well be safe and increase the thinking time you have available.
2. You've learned to pass a test, not necessarily how to drive. The ways of the road do differ in some aspects.
3. If you're reversing out of a parking bay or similar, don't reverse more than you have to. It's easier to judge the space in front of you. If you've got enough space to go forward, go forward. If you have to do a 3 point manoeuvre, do it. The 10 seconds doing that is less effort than the hours of forms and phone calls going through garages and insurance claims.
4. Keep a pen and paper in the car with important details on. The number for insurance, breakdown, parents etc. Phones are great and all but in a crash, if you're unconscious, or the phone is damaged, the police will have a much harder time contacting people.
5. Basic maintenance/upkeep. Wipers, screen wash, the odd bulb, tyre pressures and tread depth. Buy her some basic tools if you have to. A pressure gauge and electric pump is handy, even a cheap torch is a good little stocking filler. Cloths for cleaning glass and mirrors are also a super handy thing to keep around.
6. Mistakes. You're going to make them. Accept them, learn and move on.
7. Dash cam. Get a half decent one. It's so easy to blame new drivers. The camera doesn't lie.
8. Honesty. Be open about what your weaker driving points are. Discuss how to gain confidence in that area such as YouTube videos. Conquer Driving and Ashley Neal are quite helpful for this.
9. One for most drivers, not just new ones. Phone in the glove compartment. That text can wait until you pull over. Snap chat isn't important. If it's a call, answer via Bluetooth.
10. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you abuse the privilege, it will eventually be taken away from you.
2. You've learned to pass a test, not necessarily how to drive. The ways of the road do differ in some aspects.
3. If you're reversing out of a parking bay or similar, don't reverse more than you have to. It's easier to judge the space in front of you. If you've got enough space to go forward, go forward. If you have to do a 3 point manoeuvre, do it. The 10 seconds doing that is less effort than the hours of forms and phone calls going through garages and insurance claims.
4. Keep a pen and paper in the car with important details on. The number for insurance, breakdown, parents etc. Phones are great and all but in a crash, if you're unconscious, or the phone is damaged, the police will have a much harder time contacting people.
5. Basic maintenance/upkeep. Wipers, screen wash, the odd bulb, tyre pressures and tread depth. Buy her some basic tools if you have to. A pressure gauge and electric pump is handy, even a cheap torch is a good little stocking filler. Cloths for cleaning glass and mirrors are also a super handy thing to keep around.
6. Mistakes. You're going to make them. Accept them, learn and move on.
7. Dash cam. Get a half decent one. It's so easy to blame new drivers. The camera doesn't lie.
8. Honesty. Be open about what your weaker driving points are. Discuss how to gain confidence in that area such as YouTube videos. Conquer Driving and Ashley Neal are quite helpful for this.
9. One for most drivers, not just new ones. Phone in the glove compartment. That text can wait until you pull over. Snap chat isn't important. If it's a call, answer via Bluetooth.
10. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you abuse the privilege, it will eventually be taken away from you.
- It's not a race, just chill out and take your time.
- Ignore tailgaters, they do it everyone no matter how fast they go, it's not you, it's them.
- Keep your emotions under control. Getting angry, stressed, scared etc leads to poor decision making. If you feel it happening, pull over, calm down, then go again.
LimmerickLad said:
Think of every other driver on the road as an idiot 
This was the best advice I was given and it has served me well. Always think 'What is the worst thing that could happen in this situation' i.e. The car in front will suddenly brake, a car pulling out of a side turn, child running out from behind a parked car, an animal darts across the road etc.
Quite often you can watch a cars 'body language' for instance when someone is intending to change lanes or make a turn they may stert creeping over into another lane, yet they haven't indicated what they are about to do.
I've seen so many incidents where if just one of the participants was driving defensively the situation could have been avoided.
Always buy decent tyres too.
Oh and also, as soon as you switch the ignition on DO NOT touch that f
king phone!Pica-Pica said:
Vipers said:
Do not throw the HC book away, I have been driving over 50 years, but keep the latest version handy..
The HC is, of course, on line; and you can sign up for an email of any updates.Salted_Peanut said:
Milkyway said:
Drive for two cars in front […] But I have increased the two car rule to about five now
^ 
Not sure if said but.
Defensive drive like your on a presence felt patrol in a war, slow as posted limits or slower, maintain plenty of gap from traffic and obstacles ahead (such as central crossing bollards in traffic so vehicles can pass like ambulances), see Red ahead put foot on brake, observe everything from your left to right (incl mirrors) in urban areas expecting to find someone just appear. (cyclists, pads crossing etc..)
And to make use of the saying, "Speed Kills" your insurance affordability.
Edited by NFT on Friday 1st December 15:52
All good bits of advice so far. I would advise her that passing her test is just the start, she should continue to learn how to be a better driver, get her to watch the decent YouTube videos by Reg Local and Ashley Neal, as they are a good source of learning.
Make sure she continues to practice her driving and starts to concentrate more on what others are doing (I doubt if she has been so far as she has been intent on making sure she is doing the right thing to pass he test) and how she can prevent problems from developing. Maybe take her out for a drive once a week and start teaching her the finer arts of road positioning, anticipation, hazard perception and mitigation etc etc, What about asking her to give a running commentry, like the Police Advanced drivers do (and I assume still do)? It's a great way of assessing her driving and seeing what, if anything, are her weaknesses.
Make sure she continues to practice her driving and starts to concentrate more on what others are doing (I doubt if she has been so far as she has been intent on making sure she is doing the right thing to pass he test) and how she can prevent problems from developing. Maybe take her out for a drive once a week and start teaching her the finer arts of road positioning, anticipation, hazard perception and mitigation etc etc, What about asking her to give a running commentry, like the Police Advanced drivers do (and I assume still do)? It's a great way of assessing her driving and seeing what, if anything, are her weaknesses.
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