Getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time can often be nerve-wracking. After all, you’re being entrusted with control over several tons of metal. It’s a big responsibility, and you might not yet be comfortable with the vehicle you’re driving, or au fait with the rules of the road you’re driving on.
If you find yourself in this situation, then there are a few ways to deal with the nerves, and ease yourself into the practice of driving.
Start with Short, Simple Routes
Some routes are going to generate more jitters than others. Busy junctions tend to be taxing, mentally; quiet rural areas and suburbs, on the other hand, tend to be relatively easy.
If you’re having to contend with nerves, then try to look for the least challenging drive you can. Get up early on a Sunday, when the roads are quiet, and tour around familiar routes so that you can master the basics, and build up your confidence. Empty car parks tend to be a classic place for practice. While you can drive at night, it might be best to stick to the daytime – if the time of year and your schedule allow for it.
It may be that there’s a particular manoeuvre that’s causing you stress. You might feel a lack of confidence that spreads to other aspects of your driving. Even when you’re simply cruising around, you might feel a nagging uncertainty about that three-point turn.
The best approach in these cases is often to attack the problem directly. Practice the problem until you master it!
Practice with a Calm and Patient Companion
Nervousness can be made worse when the wrong person is sitting in the passenger seat. Ideally, you want someone who is calm and patient, and who will offer encouragement and constructive feedback. You might find that there are particular driving instructors local to you, who have considerable experience dealing with nervousness in their students.
Legally speaking, the person who accompanies you during practice sessions will need to be over twenty-one, qualified to drive the same vehicle you’re driving, and have held a full driving license for at least three years.
Choose the Right Insurance for Peace of Mind
If you’re worried about your level of insurance, then those worries aren’t likely to go away when you’re actually driving. On the other hand, if your insurance is putting you under financial strain, your state of mind might suffer for an entirely different reason.
Choosing young driver insurance is a good option, since these products tend to offer features that make them better suited to this early stage of your driving career.
These products typically lower your premiums with the aid of telematics. A black box device on your car will transmit data about how you’re driving to your insurer. This can provide them with assurance that you’re driving appropriately – and provide you with an incentive to stick to the speed limit.
