Starting to drive

Driving a car is easy, if you follow some basic rules. But you can’t follow them until you know what the rules are.

So it is advisable to revise your theory test and the Highway code. Rules are important. They keep you safe. And they keep others safe from you. Still, many people do not follow them. So, be alert for hazards whenever you are on the road. Safety is your first concern. Be safe.

As a driver, you are also responsible for the safety, well-being and behavior of your passengers.

To actually drive the car that means starting it, moving it, stopping it, takes 15 minutes flat. The rest is practice. To become a confident and competent driver. That will take time. Don’t rush your practice. You can’t eat a month’s food in one day. So, you shouldn’t try and do a month’s practice in one day either. Do a little daily, and discuss errors and improvements immediately after your practice run. That will accelerate your learning, and cement your
understanding.

Remember, a car can weigh from 1200 kg upwards. The faster you make it run, the harder it is to make it stop quickly! Which brings us to the next basic rule. Speed control. As a beginner, keep your speed very low.

As low as you want. There are no minimums. You can keep it at near zero, until you feel ready to increase it.

The key is to feel comfortable while learning. Learning happens fastest when you are not stressed. Speed causes stress, and you don’t need more stress right now. You will increase your speed as you grow in confidence.

So, go slow. The left side of the road is for people going slow. So, keep to the left side of the road as much as possible. Right lanes are for faster traffic.

And finally, tell others on the road, what you are going to do, well before you do it. That’s the next basic rule. Communicate in a timely manner. Indicate.

Name the controls likely to be used, like the brake, accelerator, wheel, mirrors, indicators etc. and learn how they work one by one.

That’s all there is to knowing about your car, to move it from A to B. You can be a good driver, even if you don’t know anything else about your car. It is not necessary to know how the fuel injection works, for instance, but the more you know your car, the better you’ll look after it, and the better it will serve you.

Now, you are almost ready to roll. Let us run through a 5-point checklist before getting on the road. It is best practice that all beginners do this before moving the car.

“That checklist is:
Check the 3 mirrors (1. driver side, 2. back view, 3. passenger side) to see they are all clear and
show the road behind you properly. Adjust or clean them, if needed.”

Point 4. Turn the right indicator on. You do this just after you start the car, but always before you
move the car.

Point 5. Turn your head right, to see the road behind you (blind spot). Now move the car only if
it is safe to do so. This means you release the hand and foot brakes, only if it is safe to move
onto the road from your parked position. You will need to move your right foot on the accelerator
and slowly turn the wheel right to do this.

Quick recap:
1. Know the Highway code
2. Drive in a safe car
3. Run the 5-point checklist before you start
4. Be safe. Watch hazards. Drive to conditions. Keep following distance
5. Go slow
6. Stay left on the road
7. Communicate. Indicate well in time. Do what you indicated. Have the L-stickers displayed
clearly on the car, so people know.