Everyone has been there before at some point in their lives. Getting behind the wheel for the first time is a daunting, scary and surreal. Even if you’re generally quite a confident person, everything can change as soon as you start learning how to drive. You might have an ongoing dream that someone crashes into you or you might feel nervous venturing onto the highway for the very first time. Whether you have just passed your test or you’re learning right now, you need to find a way to let go of your first time driver fears. Consider some of the following methods and you will feel more confident than ever when you’re hitting the roads.
ALWAYS BE PREPARED
You can’t always expect to have a smooth sailing ride as a first time driver. It is true that every vehicle owner will be involved in some sort of collision during their lifetime as a driver. Although you should fear this, you should be prepared for the consequences of head on collisions. They are by far the most serious kinds of car accidents, so what would you do if you were unfortunate enough to be involved? After contacting your insurance company, receiving medical advice and repairing your car, you might also want to get a lawyer to represent you. Once you know how to deal with serious situations you will feel more prepared every time you get behind the wheel.
TAKE ROUTES YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH
Don’t jump into crazy long journeys when you have only just passed your test. Stick to routes you’re quite familiar with and ride with an experienced friend or family member first. Once your confidence has grown you will be able to start venturing further afield in no time.
STICK TO THE RULES OF THE ROAD
If you want to feel completely confident in your driving abilities you need to stick with the rules of the road. Not only do you need to pay close attention to the speed limit in different areas, but you should also think about your driving etiquette too. Have you had plenty of rest? Have you consumed any alcohol? Are you using a mobile phone? Did you and your passengers fasten your seatbelts? You need to remember all of these things before you get behind the wheel; otherwise you’re putting yourself and others at risk. Your mind will be at ease if you are following legal regulations and the highway code.
There is no shame in being slightly nervous when you first start driving. Everyone has a slight fear when they take control of a vehicle for the very first time. Your confidence will grow over time, so don’t give up on yourself just yet. Slowly ease your way into this new way of life and you will forget your fears in no time. Every single driver is completely different, so take everything at your own pace. As long as you stick to the rules of the road and you aren’t reckless with your decisions, you will be just fine in your new role as a fully-fledged driver.
Photo Credit: Art Markiv
