Did you recently pass your driving test? Congratulations! Being finally able to go to places without relying on anyone to drive you is an incredible feeling. And it was possibly your parent who took on the role to teach you about driving — but maybe didn’t tell you everything.
That being said, learning how to drive from a parent rather than a professional driving instructor is stressful. In addition, they might not be patient enough or give you leeway to develop your unique driving style.
9 things your dad didn’t teach you about driving
There is a lot more to driving than just knowing how to operate a car and learning all the traffic rules. If you want to become a safe and confident driver, here are some useful tips you should know that your parent possibly didn’t teach you about drinving.
- Don’t Let Anyone Rush You
Whether you are taking a tricky turn or your car unexpectedly stalls in the middle of the road, you must stay as calm as possible. There will be aggressive drivers honking or yelling, but don’t let any of that get to you. Rushing under pressure can often lead to accidents. So take your time to get back on the road.
- Warm Up Your Car
Do you start your car and immediately drive off every morning? It’s a good habit to start your car and wait for a minute or so before getting on the road. Warming up your car will prevent the cylinder and pistons from wearing out fast. This is a valuable practice for winters and colder climates and a valuable strategy to winterproof a car.
- Always Adjust Your Mirrors
Many novice drivers don’t have the habit of adjusting their mirrors before setting off. But, even if you have a fancy car with sophisticated sensors, mirrors are a useful tool to beware of your blind spots. So make sure you are adjusting your side and rear mirrors to have a clear line of sight.
- Getting a Ticket is Inevitable
Let’s face it, getting a ticket at least once in your life is inevitable. In particular, as a new driver, you are bound to make driving mistakes. Someday you may be speeding because you’re late to work or everyone around you is speeding. If you want to fight your ticket but you lost it, you can use a traffic ticket lookup tool to locate it and try to find ways to dismiss or reduce it.
- Driving is Different in Every State
Driving in the quiet suburbs of Maryland is strikingly different from driving in the busy streets of New York City. If you are planning to drive in a different state, make sure you go through the driving and traffic laws, which might be different.
- Avoid Sudden Changes
From unexpectedly changing lanes to barking for no reason, avoid making any sudden moves that other drivers may not be able to anticipate. When it comes to driving, being predictable is always the safest option. Use your blinkers and learn how to change lanes smoothly.
- Don’t Tailgate
Just because you are stuck in bottleneck traffic doesn’t mean you have to be as close as possible to the car in front of you. If one car decides to stop, it will lead to a domino effect of a multiple-car collision. Always maintain a decent space between your car and the vehicle ahead of you.
- Familiarize Yourself with Harsh Weather Conditions
Even experienced drivers struggle when it’s pouring outside or on with black ice. So instead of avoiding harsh weather conditions altogether, try to practice driving in rain or snow and improve your skills.
- Minimize Distractions
Not to sound like a nagging parent, but don’t use your phone while driving. Even if the road is empty. Even if it’s just one text. Even if someone keeps calling you. If you must look at your phone, pull over and do it safely.
Final Words
Now you know some of the things your parent didn’t teach you about driving. Right now it may seem like you will never get over your nerves. But trust us, you will become more confident with time and practice.
