Driving Dilemmas: Five Issues For New Drivers to Overcome

Driving Dilemmas: Five Issues For New Drivers to Overcome

There’s nothing quite like driving to give you true independence. You can go where you want, when you want. There’s no waiting around on unreliable public transport or friends and family to give you lifts. No need to walk for miles in the rain in bad weather, you can hop into your car and everything is much quicker and more convenient. But there are some challenges to being a driver too, here are five issues most new drivers will need to overcome at some time or another.

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Costs

The biggest issue that most new drivers will overcome is the cost. We’re all told how driving isn’t cheap, but it’s not until you come to get on the road yourself that you realise how true that is. You have to buy a vehicle, insure it, tax it and have it MOTed and serviced each year. You have to replace parts when they go wrong, and pay for fuel. Even smaller costs such as car washes can add up and aren’t something you initially include in your budget. The best thing you can do when you’re still taking your lessons is save up. Have some money in the bank to cover these costs, it will be much easier to get onto the roads after passing if you do.

Fear

You might feel confident driving with your instructor on lessons, but once you pass you’re on your own. You come up against situations you’ve never seen before, and it can really be quite scary. Start small and build up your confidence. Drive with an experienced driver in the passenger seat who can give you help if needed. Drive around places that are quieter at less  busy times of day and then work your way up from there.

Car maintenance and checks

You’ll have been given some general advice about how to maintain and check your car when you learned to drive. This includes checking lights, fluids and tyres. Make it a habit to do these checks and keep your car in the best condition possible. Find out things like the tyre pressure from your car’s handbook so when it comes to filling the tyres it’s quick and easy. Even putting in fuel can be diffficult at first if it’s something you’ve never done, but know that you will adapt.

Breaking down

Breaking down is scary for anyone, especially if it’s the first time it’s happened to you. If you’re able to, move your car to the side of the road. Put on your hazard lights, and place a warning triangle at least forty five meters away from your vehicle (don’t use warning triangles on motorways). Get out of your car and get to a safe place out of the road, and then call your breakdown company. If you’ve broken down in a dangerous place that’s obstructing traffic, you will need to call the police first.

Accidents

Accidents can be really scary. In an accident, you need to keep as calm as possible and make sure you’re getting all of the relevant information from the other driver- their name, telephone number and insurance details. Take pictures, and see if there’s any CCTV around which you might need to use at a later date. If the accident wasn’t your fault and you were injured, get legal advice from Hupy and Abraham as you may be entitled to compensation. If you believe the driver was acting dangerously or could have been intoxicated, call the police at the scene.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
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