New Driver – Traffic School Online

Are you nervous about driving? You’re not alone. Many new drivers feel anxious about driving. Getting your driver’s license is a big deal, and being a good driver can help keep you safe while you’re on your own. Learning to drive is an important milestone in life that will serve you well, no matter what age you learn to drive. Some people find that studying for the written test is one of the hardest parts. For other people, the driving portion of the test sounds frightening. It’s normal to feel nervous about learning a new skill or taking a driving test.

Getting Comfortable With Driving

Don’t let your nervousness get in the way of your goals. While driving is an awesome responsibility, millions of new drivers just like you take and pass their driver’s licenses every year. This is why many states require a period for new drivers to become accustomed to driving, usually with a learner’s permit. Even if your state doesn’t require a learner’s permit, it’s important that when you first begin driving, you have an accomplished driver with you.

For the first weeks or months that you’re driving, you should have somebody with you as you drive. You don’t have to choose a licensed driver for this task but choose somebody that can serve as extra eyes and ears while you’re on the road. Once you’re comfortable with driving, you should start taking small drives and running errands on your own.

Knowledge is Power

Another important aspect of driving is understanding the laws and obeying them. Knowing what to do in complex driving situations is important both to passing the driving test and driving daily. Because of this, it’s important that obeying laws, signals, and signs becomes second nature to you. A good driver’s ed class can help you prepare and study for the driving test. Once you’ve passed the test, you’ll still need this knowledge to drive daily, and you’ll be more confident that you’ve learned what you need to drive on the road safely.

Drive During the Day (And In Good Weather)

If you’re nervous about driving at first, the best approach is to ease into your status as a new driver. This will give you practice and help you build your confidence. Whenever possible, drive in the best weather. This means sticking to sunny weather for the first few weeks and driving during the daytime as much as possible. As you gain more experience, you may want to drive in the rain or the evening hours. Becoming confident in driving is often about practice, so try to get as much practice driving time under your belt as possible.

Drive When You’re Most Alert

Don’t drive if you’re tired, hung over, or on medications for a cold or flu. Some prescription medications are also dangerous to drive if you’ve taken them. This is one of the most common causes of accidents. So make sure that you read warning labels on any medications you’re taking. If you’re exhausted from working a double shift at work or studying for exams, it’s not a great time for you to practice driving, either. Pay attention to your body and moods. Don’t drive if you’re feeling ill, “out of it” or incredibly upset.

Practice Highway Driving

Many people who are afraid of driving have a fear of highway driving. Driving fast on a four-lane highway can seem stressful when you’re not used to it. If you choose the right time of day, you can get practice in highway driving. With fewer drivers on the road, you will find that highway driving can be relatively calm. Regularly taking a long drive on the highway can help you build your driving skills. If you’re nervous about highway driving, consider doing a day trip with a driving partner. You’ll find that with the right companion and a few hours of driving on the highway, you’re more comfortable with it.

Listen to Calming or Upbeat Music

Many drivers find that music is a great way to set a better mood, no matter where their road travels are taking them. If you’re a nervous driver, try listening to your favorite songs or music you find uplifting. Don’t listen to music that’s angry or too distracting.

Read and Learn More About Driving

Learning to drive doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Learning a new skill is always a little challenging, but with the right educational tools, you’ll become familiar with the rules of the road in no time. Take the time to read up on driving situations that concern you. Learn how to parallel park and who has the right of way in every situation. The rules of the road will serve you well when you have to make split-second driving decisions.

Are you learning to drive? Congratulations on this rite of passage! The freedom of getting behind the wheel can be exhilarating, but driving can also be very dangerous. As you learn to drive, these tips for new drivers can help you stay safe. For more comprehensive guidance, consider checking out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Teen Driving resources.

1. Take Drivers’ Ed

Driver education can help make you a safer, better driver. It may even help you get a discount on your insurance. Look into various options, and sign up for a course, like the ones offered by Online Drivers Ed, before you go for your license.

2. Practice

Don’t just practice driving in empty parking lots. You need to learn to merge onto a busy highway, change lanes in traffic, drive in a city, and handle a car in various weather conditions. While we don’t recommend heading out in a snowstorm, you do want to get used to driving in various situations. If there’s something you don’t like, practice it even more, until you’ve conquered your fears enough to drive safely. Utilize a navigation app like Google Maps to find suitable practice locations.

3. Be Cautious

Becoming a driver for the first time means taking on a new set of safety rules. Park in well-lit spots, and always lock your doors. This is especially crucial for women! If you have a pet, never, ever leave your pet in a locked car: temperatures inside cars can reach deadly levels in a very short time. You’ll also need to get into the habit of monitoring your gas and engine lights. For more tips on vehicle maintenance and safety, visit the AAA Auto Repair Library.

4. Don’t Speed

Last but not least, watch the speed limit. Most areas will offer you a 5-mile-an-hour leeway. Any more than that, and you could be risking a ticket . . . or even your life! To better understand the effects of speeding, check out the National Safety Council’s Speeding resources.

5. Avoid Distractions

Some people feel calmer with music playing. Others become distracted by their favorite tunes. Know yourself, and don’t take risks. If you do want to play music, start it before you leave your driveway. Don’t mess with buttons and playlists while you’re in traffic.

6. Look Ahead and Behind

Don’t just focus on the car right in front of you. Keep an eye on the traffic further up, and look for potential obstacles. Check behind you regularly as well, and make sure there isn’t someone tailgating you.

7. Don’t Tailgate. Ever.

Tailgating isn’t just rude: it’s extremely dangerous and is the cause of most rear-end collisions. Many states are now enacting laws that hold tailgaters immediately responsible for accidents caused by their actions. There’s a reason for this: if you’re too close, the odds of you hitting the car in front of you are much higher. To maintain a safe following distance, follow the “three-second rule”: when the car ahead of you passes a stationary object, count to three. If you reach the same object in less than three seconds, you’re too close and should increase your distance. Adjust this rule to a longer count during bad weather or when driving at higher speeds. By maintaining a safe distance, you reduce the risk of rear-end collisions and create a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.

8. Avoid Fast Stops and Starts

Quick stops and rapid acceleration can be jarring for passengers and put unnecessary wear on your vehicle. Learn to anticipate traffic conditions, and adjust your speed gradually. This will help you become a smoother, safer driver and save you money on fuel and vehicle maintenance in the long run.

9. Watch Your Blind Spot

Every vehicle has blind spots, which are areas not visible in your mirrors. Before changing lanes, always check your blind spots by turning your head and glancing over your shoulder. You should also be aware of other drivers’ blind spots, and avoid lingering in them. This can help you prevent accidents caused by drivers who don’t check their blind spots.

10. Keep An Eye On Road Signs

Road signs are there to help you navigate safely. Pay attention to speed limits, traffic signals, and warning signs, such as those indicating sharp curves, school zones, or upcoming intersections. By following road signs, you’ll be better prepared to react to changing traffic conditions and reduce the risk of accidents.

11. Use Your Blinkers

Using your turn signals is not only polite, but it’s also essential for safe driving. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or making a turn, giving other drivers enough time to react. This simple habit can prevent many accidents and miscommunications on the road. For more information on the importance of using turn signals, read this article by the Car and Driver.

12. Drive Defensively

No matter how good of a driver you are, there’s always a chance that someone else could hit you. Keep an eye on the other cars on the road. If someone is speeding or weaving in and out of traffic, get as far away from them as possible. When you’re on the interstate, keep several car lengths between you and the car in front of you. This gives you time to react if the vehicle ahead of you loses control. To learn more about defensive driving, consider taking a defensive driving course from the National Safety Council.

13. Put The Phone Down

Texting and/or talking while driving is extremely dangerous and can be a fatal mistake. The only reason you should ever use your phone while driving is for the GPS. If you do need GPS, get a phone holder that attaches to your dashboard, so you don’t have to look away from the road to check your map. That said, you should always have your phone charged and with you, in case of an emergency. Visit the Distraction.gov website for more information on distracted driving and how to stay focused on the road.

14. Don’t Drink And Drive. Period.

Alcohol and cars are a terrible—and often fatal—mix. If you’re going to a club or party, plan your night so that you don’t find yourself getting behind the wheel when you’re over the limit. Use a designated driver, call a cab or Uber, or use public transportation. Get used to planning safe transportation now, before you can let drunk driving become a habit. If you get caught over the limit, you may find yourself in a legal

and financial nightmare that could impact your life for years. And an accident can have tragic and devastating consequences. To learn more about the dangers of drunk driving, visit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

15. Be Patient

Road rage and impatience can lead to dangerous situations and increase your risk of accidents. It’s essential to maintain a calm and composed attitude while driving. If you find yourself getting frustrated or impatient, take a deep breath and remind yourself that reaching your destination safely is more important than getting there a few minutes faster. Practicing patience can help you make better decisions on the road and create a more enjoyable driving experience for both you and those around you.

Driving is a big responsibility, and it’s essential to prioritize safety as you learn to navigate the roads. By following these tips and continually working to improve your driving skills, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a safe and responsible driver. Remember, the more you practice and pay attention to your surroundings, the more confident and skilled you’ll become behind the wheel.

When you have a new driver in the family, one of the most important things to do is raise their confidence level. While you don’t want them to do anything foolish like trying to text and drive or driving in weather conditions that are unsafe, you do want to raise their confidence and inspire them to feel comfortable behind the wheel. These five strategies will help your new driver feel more confident, enabling them to tackle on-the-road challenges without a problem.

1. Stay calm.

When you ride together, resist the urge to slam your foot into the invisible (and absent) brake on your side of the car or to reach for the wheel every time your child drifts a few inches away from the center of the lane. When you are calm and confident in your child’s driving abilities, you’ll quickly discover that their confidence increases, too! An uneasy parent, however, can destroy a child’s confidence behind the wheel and make it hard for them to manage unexpected challenges.

2. Look for opportunities to build their experience without overwhelming them.

Do you need something from the gas station at the bottom of the hill? Send your new driver to pick it up. Need the car moved from the garage to the driveway? Your new driver can take care of that! Allowing your new driver to take care of small errands accomplishes two key things. First, it gives your new driver plenty of experience with small trips when you’re still close by and can offer advice or help if needed. Second, it shows them that you believe them capable of taking care of those trips. Not only that, it frees you up to take care of other things instead of having to run out every time you need to make a short trip. What could be better?

3. Build experience in many different areas.

Let your new driver have the chance to drive in the rain. If ice and snow are common in your area, take them out on the road when conditions are starting to become difficult to navigate. Look for opportunities to go driving together at night. The more time your new driver spends on the road in different conditions, the easier it will be for them to tackle those conditions when they’re on their own and they have no other choice. Time of day matters, too: early experience may be best built when the roads are as empty as possible, but your new driver needs to know how to navigate rush hour, too.

4. Help your child solve common driving problems.

Everything from an oncoming emergency vehicle with nowhere to go to lousy road conditions at a moment when you can’t pull off the road can feel like a crisis to a new driver. By role-playing these situations, even if your child doesn’t actually experience them, you can build confidence for when those moments do occur.

5. Give it time.

Some people take to driving as though they’ve been waiting their whole lives to get behind the wheel. Others struggle to develop that much-needed confidence. Give your child time to build their skills and develop that confidence in their own way. It may take 3 years and 20,000 miles or more for your child to build their confidence if they’re close to the average. Letting them have time to develop it will go a long way toward increasing their capability.

Your new driver is learning every time they get behind the wheel. The more opportunities they have to practice, the more confident they will become! Allow them the freedom to explore the roads both supervised and unsupervised, letting them try out their new skill to help their confidence soar.

◉ Driving Tips for Nervous New Drivers

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