For new drivers, everything can seem both exciting and overwhelming. After all, being able to drive means independence, but it also comes with so much to learn, and so many responsibilities to deal with. The good news is that every new driver, be they your teenage child, or a fully grown adult can find out the most important things they need to know about driving and car ownership in the post below.
A good instructor is worth their weight in gold
First of all, if you’re new to driving the chances are you’re still learning, and that means you need to find a great instructor that can help you pass your test. Indeed, working with a trusted driving school like Wimbledon Driving School is a great way to raise your confidence and learn all the technical aspects you will need to pass your test. Although, don’t panic if you don’t pass the first time as over half of people don’t, and it’s always better to err on the side of safety when it comes to driving, so examiners have to make sure you are skilled enough to be on the roads.
P and L plates are a must
For those learning to drive, L plates must be displayed in any vehicle where the learner is behind the wheel by law. The purpose of L plates is to inform other drivers and road users that you do not have as much experience driving, so they can give you more space and hopefully patience. You can get L plates from places like Halfords, but make sure to keep the price low with a Halfords discount code.
P (for probation) plates on the other hand are not required by law, yet many people choose to use them as they let other drivers know they are dealing with someone that has only recently passed their test. Again the idea here is that other road users are warned that you are new to driving and this allows them to make choices accordingly as well as give you the driver a little extra grace at junctions and roundabouts and the like.
Make sure you know your car
Whether you are still in the learning phase, or you’ve passed and you are begging to drive unsupervised, getting to know your vehicle well is a very smart idea. This is because it will help you to be as confident as possible when driving, and safe too, as knowing how your car will behave in certain situations can give you vital seconds to avoid or minimise an accident.
Set yourself goals
When you are in the learning to drive stage your instructor will set you goals to hit until you are ready to take your test. However, this practice of setting goals and learning shouldn’t happen once you have passed your test. Instead, it can be very helpful to continue to set yourself a target such as driving around your town alone, doing your first drive on a motorway, and doing your first long-distance drive. Then you will continue to build up your confidence and improve your driving skills in your first few years on the road as a new driver.
Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance
As a new driver, it’s easy to assume that once your car is running smoothly, there’s not much more to do—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Routine maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle in good condition and prevent small issues from turning into expensive problems down the line. Make a habit of scheduling checks for things like your brakes, lights, battery, and coolant levels. You should also check your tyres every month because although emergency mobile tyre fitting is a thing, it’s better to not need it in the first place. It’s also wise to get familiar with the servicing intervals outlined in your car’s manual. Most importantly, make sure you book MOT services annually if your car is older than three years to ensure your car meets the legal safety and environmental standards. Staying proactive with maintenance not only boosts your car’s reliability but also gives you peace of mind every time you hit the road.
You’ll need insurance
When it comes to car ownership there are plenty of things you will need to learn about and do. One of the most vital of these is to make sure you properly insure your car. However, as a new driver insurance can be very expensive, and confusing as there are many different types of policies and prices will also differ depending on the type of car you have, the size of your engine, and even where you live.
In particular, you may wish to consider a black box policy, as this can significantly reduce your insurance rates. The only downside is that having a black box in your car will track your driving, and with some policies, this means you won’t be able to drive late at night or at other high-risk times.
You’ll need car tax
New drivers also should be aware that they will need to tax their car as well as insure it. You can find out how much your car tax will cost by visiting the UK gov website where they break it down in detail.
Remember paying your car tax is not only the law, but it’s crucial because it helps pay for vital things that every road user needs like maintenance of the roads and motorways.
You’ll need to know how to change your oil
Something that every new driver will need to know how to do is how to change their vehicle’s oil. Making sure you have high-quality fresh oil is crucial to the smooth running of your vehicle as it helps to lubricate all the essential engine parts.
The first step in changing your oil is to check whether it needs topping up. You can do this by checking the dipstick in the engine which is pretty quick and simple to do, just follow the instructions in the video below.
If you find that your oil is low then you will need to do a full oil change. Some people prefer to take their car to a local garage to get this done. Although you can DIY this task as you can see in the video below.
Car cleaning
In addition to knowing how to change their oil, new car drivers will also need to know how to keep their vehicles clean both inside and out. The benefits of cleaning your vehicle regularly go way beyond aesthetics too, as it will help to keep it running well for longer, as well as make journey’s in it more pleasant.
With that in mind, regularly washing the outside of your car is a must. But before you grab the hose and the washing-up liquid, remember that it’s a much better idea to use a specialist car shampoo. This is because washing up liquid can strip off some of the protective elements of your car’s paint leaving it vulnerable to rust.
You may also want to take the time to wax and seal your paintwork as this can provide extra added protection against rain, and road salt and ensure your finish stays as shiny and new as possible.
Looking after your tyres
New driver or not, you are not going anywhere without decent roadworthy tyres, and that means you will need to learn how to take care of them.
The first step in this process is to make sure your tires have the proper tread depth. Good tread depth is crucial because it makes sure your tires properly grip the road. Unfortlay the more you drive your car the more the tire tread is worn away, and this can make them unsafe. That is why you will need to check your tyre pressure regularly and replace your tyres when they become too low.
In many cases, it’s also a good idea to rotate your tires to prevent abnormal tire wear. This is when one or two tyres wear out faster, sometimes in certain places like the edge than the others. By rotating your tires you can minimise this abnormal wear and ensure your tires all wear in a more uniform way which should improve safety, and mean that you don’t have to replace them as often too.
Last, of all, you will need to make sure that your tires have the proper pressure. Indeed, tyre pressure is a matter of both law and safety so you must get it right. The good news is keeping your vehicle’s tyres at the correct pressure is an easy job to complete.
All you need to do is check your tires using a pressure gauge. If these measurements do not match the ones recommended in your manufacturer’s manual you will need to inflate them until they do.
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