With all the excitement of signing up for an online driver’s ed class and learning about being behind the wheel, you’re likely anxious to take the keys and practice your driving. After all, while all states are different, you will be required to get some practice in before you go in for your driver’s license test. Nothing can quite compare to that first time operating a car: you’re a little nervous, incredibly excited, and you just want to hit the open road.
But not so fast! If driver’s ed online has taught you anything, it’s that it’s important to err on the side of caution. While you might just be ready to go and itching to sit in the driver’s seat, you must remember that the average car weighs about 4,000 pounds. This is massive! So while we love the convenience and ease that driving gives us, we must always remember that driving can be dangerous if we don’t give it our full attention.
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Before you start driving for your test with a trusted parent or adult guiding you in the passenger seat, it’s important to have a few things in order. This will ensure you can put all of your work from your online driver’s ed class into practice in the best way possible, which will mean you’ll have higher chances of passing and that you’ll stay safe.
Drive With Someone You Trust
If this person is agreeing to commit many hours of sitting in a car with you as the driver, they’re likely already a great person to have by your side. For most teens, this person is your mom, dad, or guardian. However, make sure that you trust this person and are comfortable with them. They should be able to correct you respectfully and you should feel completely fine asking them questions. If there are certain things you wish they would or would not do to help you become a better driver, it’s best to voice those concerns before you get behind the wheel.
Keep in mind that this person will be the one guiding you and teaching you a lot of rules on the road. Hence, it makes sense that this person should also be a sensible driver.
At the end of the day, your goal is to have someone to practice with so that you can better learn how to drive a car.
Choose A Safe Vehicle
Just as with number 1, you may not have complete say in this—but you can help to make your vehicle as safe as possible. Make sure all the lights work, the windshields work, and that the oil light is not on. You can talk to the person helping you drive to ensure that the brakes and all other specs on the car are updated and operating efficiently. A safe car is not synonymous with a brand new car, so don’t get those two confused; instead, make sure the car runs properly. This way, if and when you need to make an abrupt stop or change lanes in traffic, you’ll be doing so in the safest way possible.
Know Your Car
It’s not enough that you choose a safe vehicle when you’re not familiar with how the car works.
Whether you’re getting a secondhand car or a brand new one, first know how it operates. For example, check how you can adjust the side mirrors, know the buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, and get familiar with the car’s size.
Each car is different even if its mechanism might be relatively the same. Nonetheless, it will help you be more comfortable on the road when you’re familiar with how the car works.
This will also help you feel less anxious about what to press and how to operate the buttons on the car.
Practice Before You Practice
Yes, this sounds silly, but you should not simply hop in the car for the first time and get on the highway. Driving well takes constant practice and getting familiar with your car and with what it’s like behind the wheel will not happen immediately. An empty parking lot is an ideal place to practice and get an idea of how the car turns, how quickly brakes react, and so forth. It gives you the space to make mistakes and not have to deal with dire consequences. For example, if you try to brake within 4 seconds and don’t press down hard enough of the pedal, then the worst that will happen in an empty parking lot is that you go a little further than you anticipated. If you don’t brake hard enough behind someone at a red light your first time driving, you’ll rear-end them.
Although it might not sound very exciting to set aside a few sessions in a parking lot, it will truly build up your confidence. Car accidents are terrifying to go through, and even the smaller ones can make you nervous to drive again in the future. That’s no way to start as a new driver! Instead, get comfortable behind the wheel in an open lot before moving on to the road.
Schedule Your Driving Practice
Your parents may be hesitant to give you driving practice, if only for the fact that you’re their child and you’re growing up. It might take a little bit of persistence on your part to show them that you’re dedicated to learning how to drive well. If you’re finding it hard to get time behind the wheel, propose a schedule that will ensure you get the proper amount of practice before going in for your test. Many states require at least 30 to 40 hours of driving, and the best drivers get 70 to 100 their first year of driving. That averages to about 2 hours per week. Everyone is busy, but if you don’t put the time down on the schedule for both of you, then it can easily be a forgotten task. This will mean you never end up with enough hours to get your license.
Stress to your parent, guardian, or whoever is driving with you that it’s an imperative part of your driving education. An online driver’s ed course is a great start to get the basics down and to learn the rules of driving in your state, but practice will help you develop the skills you need as a safe and reliable driver. Additionally, you’ll want some of your driving time to be at night and during inclement weather, making sure that you’re prepared for anything.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
The point of practicing is that you also learn from the person who is with you when you drive. This is where you test out the theoretical knowledge you learned from your driver’s ed course.
When there is something you don’t know, always seek guidance from your parent or guardian. Don’t be afraid to ask because you can’t just guess these things when you take a driving test.
And when something isn’t clear to you, don’t hesitate to clarify. Clarifying early on will help remove the confusion when you go to your test.
Moreover, if you don’t ask when you need it, you might just end up forgetting what to do when that moment arises during your driving test.
Stay Relaxed
This is easier said than done, but staying relaxed is one of the most important things you should remember when you’re practicing how to drive.
Nerves and anxiety will not help when you’re practicing for the first time (even if it’s just on an empty parking lot). This might affect how you remember the rules and the basics. Or worse, this might cause you to do the wrong things and get yourself in an accident.
Before you even start the car, make sure that you’re ready to practice and focus. Focusing your mind on the basics will help you feel calmer during practice.
Conclusion
Learning how to drive can be exciting, but before you get your coveted license, you have to pass the driving test.
With these tips, you’ll be able to practice and prepare well for the test so you can pass with flying colors!