So, you’ve just passed your test. You can now legally drive!
Congratulations! Passing your driving test is something worth celebrating. Now it’s time to sort things out so you can get behind the wheel in your own vehicle.
It can be difficult knowing where to begin when you’ve first passed your test. As a new driver, you have a lot of different things to organize before you can legally drive on the roads, from finding a suitable car to considering which road safety technologies you’re going to need.
If you have recently become a newly-qualified driver, here are some top tips to help you figure out the next steps.
Find the Right (Affordable) Vehicle
You’ve now got your driving license, but you now need to find a suitable vehicle.
You might have been eyeing up the latest Mercedes Benz or maybe your dream car is a shiny new Ferrari. But in most cases, these cars are not appropriate for new drivers.
No matter how great you are at driving, insurance companies will not know whether they can trust you behind the wheel if it’s your very first car. Therefore, your insurance will be pretty expensive when you first pass your test.
Add on the price of a fancy super-fast car and your insurance will be astronomical. Finding the right vehicle involves figuring out what cats you like the look of that are also in one of the lower insurance bands.
For affordable car insurance as a new driver, stick to the cheaper, smaller vehicles. Getting a used car instead of a brand-new model will also help to reduce your insurance.
Keep Your Radio Off
As much as you’d love to listen to your favorite artist’s latest album as you drive, it’s always better to drive without the radio on.
Everybody should avoid blasting music when they’re behind the wheel, regardless of how much driving experience they have. But concentration is particularly important when you’re a new driver.
Loud music can be distracting and increase your risk of having an accident. It only takes a small lapse in your concentration to cause a crash!
For the first few months, keep the radio off altogether. When you get more comfortable behind the wheel, you can play quiet music while you drive.
Plan Your Journeys
It’s helpful for any driver to plan their journey ahead of time but it can be especially helpful for new drivers. Knowing where you are going can make driving much less stressful and reduces the risk of you making errors.
Planning your route in advance also means you can avoid any major roundabouts, crazy junctions, or roadworks. This can make your journey easier, whether you’re driving locally or going on a road trip.
You can use a satnav if you need to but make sure you’ve also had a quick look over where you’re going before you get in the car. So, instead of stressing about which direction you’re going, you can sit back and relax (not too much, of course).
