Top Tips for The New Driver In Your Life

Having a child become old enough to drive is both exciting and stressful for any parent. While the freedom of no longer being their taxi driver can be a welcome relief, it can also be nerve-racking watching them drive away from home, knowing they’re soon going to be independent and on the roads alone.

Sadly, statistics show that 17—to 24-year-olds are more likely to be in an accident than other age groups. In fact, they are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents compared to the number of drivers on the road in this age category.

It makes sense that once they do hit the road in their new car, they’re aware of everything from being a responsible driver to car costs, maintenance, and more.

This post discusses a few ways you can help your new driver become a safer driver, reducing some of the nerves you’re likely to feel when they’re out and about driving alone.

Slow and steady

The last thing you want them to be is a speed demon on the road. Speed kills regardless of the age or previous skills of the driver, and talking to your child about taking things slow until they build up their real-time road experience is vital not just for them, but for other road users and pedestrians. The more time you have to react to a situation, the more likely you are to avoid it or minimise the impact, and this needs to be stressed to new drivers, regardless of their age.

Ignore Scare Tactics

Every single new driver will understand the fear and upset that comes with being intimidated by other drivers. It’s important to teach them how to handle such situations. For instance, advise them to maintain a safe distance, avoid eye contact, and not to retaliate. The last thing you want is for them to land themselves in trouble because other drivers goaded or bullied them into making mistakes. And as scary as it can be, ignoring other, more aggressive drivers is one of the best skills they can learn, especially in those early days.

Get to Know The Car

It’s really important that they spend some time getting to know their new car. It’s likely going to be vastly different from a vehicle they have learnt in class if they’ve been with an instructor. The more familiar they are with the car and how it drives, the easier it will be to drive and use on a daily basis. From the sounds of the engine and how it drives, especially for older cars. To where all the lights and switches are to perform certain actions, such as popping the bonnet open, filling up with water and oil, and not forgetting those all-important tasks of filling up with fuel (or charging as the case may be) and filling the tires with air.

Mechanics

Your new driver will need a good mechanic if you don’t already have one on hand, as a family (for first drivers, the task of finding a new mechanic can be stressful). No one wants to be driving around in a car that needs work; not only is it unsafe for the driver, but also for other road users.

There are many horror stories about mechanics floating around, and it’s safe to say that they don’t all have exactly stellar reputations. However, it’s a good idea to source a mechanic before you need one. Even if you book your car for an MOT or find reputable mechanics who are licensed for MOTS, for example, and start there.

Ask family and friends, use online reviews, or talk to different mechanics to get a feel for how they work and whether or not you think you can trust them.

Advanced Driving Courses

As nice as it is not to have to pay for driving lessons anymore, it can be a worthwhile investment to look into advanced driving courses or to take additional lessons with their instructor for more complex driving, such as motorway driving or advanced skills.

The more skills they have and the more experiences they’re exposed to, the more capable they will be if they encounter these scenarios on the road. Advanced driving courses can provide them with the necessary skills to handle complex driving situations, such as motorway driving or advanced skills. In addition, these courses are often viewed favourably by insurance companies and show their commitment to being safe drivers.   

Black Boxes

Black boxes aren’t just a way to help keep insurance premiums down; they’re an amazing way to help your young driver avoid more common mistakes. The black box is installed by the insurance company and monitors driving habits such as speed, acceleration, exceeding speed limits, and times when they drive and more. The black box encourages responsible driving by providing real-time feedback on their driving. The more accountable a driver they are, the lower their premiums remain.

However, this can also give parents added peace of mind that their young driver can’t or is less likely to engage in risky driving practices. It forces your young driver to be more careful on the roads, and this type of driving can be massively beneficial in helping reduce the risk of accidents or losing their license due to being caught driving illegally.

Avoid Distractions

It’s crucial to instil in your child the importance of avoiding distractions while driving. Despite passing their test, the environment inside their instructor’s car is vastly different from having friends in the car, which will impact their driving abilities. The combination of chatter and music can be highly distracting, so it’s important to set clear rules and expectations.

Make sure they’re aware of the updated laws on using phones while driving, the risks of loud music when driving, and how hard it can be to concentrate on conversations and the road as they build up their skill level. Talk to them about fines and consequences if they make mistakes; for example, if they are caught using their phone while driving, this can result in an automatic 6 points on their insurance and a £200 fine. And if they’re within 2 years of passing their test, 6 points is an automatic ban.