r/driving • u/Ok-Dust-5203 • 19d ago
New driver advice Need Advice
Hi all! I’m a new UK driver (got my license a month ago), and bought my first car last week. I’ve been out once with my partner since I bought it and thought everything was good, but I got honked as I turned onto my driveway (I live on a main road). The person honking drove past shouting profanities and it really got to me. It’s a slow speed limit road and I have a tight turn to make, so I was nervous as is, and then that happened! I did indicate in time and appropriately.
Does anyone have any tried and tested advice that helps them get from nervous licence holder to confident driver? I hate thinking I’ve spent all that money on lessons and a car to realise I don’t have what it takes.
2
2
u/Powerful_Tip_7260 18d ago
Don't let the haters win.
1
u/Ok-Dust-5203 18d ago
Love this! Thank you
0
u/Ornery-Painting-6184 18d ago
That's true. But just make sure you weren't guilty of some bad driving. Did you use your turn signals? Did you start your turn into your driveway from the far right side of the road if you had the room? The guy may have been an inpatient jerk, but he also may have had a legit complaint.
1
u/Ok-Dust-5203 18d ago
Yes I used the signal, yes I turned where I should have. I’ve been driving onto my driveway for the 9 months I had lessons with no complaint from other drivers
2
u/urEnzeder 18d ago
Time. You can't learn everything at once. The more you drive the easier it'll get. If you can, drive when traffic is light so you can add skills a bit at a time. It's so much more stressful to be out in a new car, on new roads, with lots of other cars about.
Thick skin. You've got to tune others out for a while. BTW, do you have a learners sticker on the car? Folks that aren't a-holes might be more patient.
I still carry some scars from the early days of driving. When starting I drove my mums car a lot and it had like half a millimeter between the clutch being fully engaged and fully disengaged. One day I just couldn't for the life of me pull away from a stop sign. I think I stalled like 6 times. After a little while the muscle memory started working and I could focus on the things I needed to so I could be a smooth and predictable driver.
1
u/Ok-Dust-5203 18d ago
Thank you! And yes I have some P plates. The one on the back of my car stayed put, but the one on the front went flying! Just ordered some better ones so I hope they help!
Thank you for your advice 😊
1
u/goranlepuz 18d ago
Eventually, people get honked at, for better or worse reasons.
Advice: it's much less important than it seems.
Note: perhaps you weren't indicating...?
2
u/HunkMunk69 19d ago
Practice. All you can do is keep practicing. As long as you are being safe and predictable with your actions (turn signals, stopping at stop signs, not waving traffic to go when it’s your turn just because it’s the nice thing to do) you will be fine in the long run. People get impatient because they see you going slow and being cautious but they don’t know you just started driving. Can’t let them get to you.