From l plates to p plates

I wrote an article about a year ago about being a learner driver. A few weeks ago, I went from having L plates to having P plates and as I learned, there is a whole plethora of new things to learn again. As it turns out, you might actually learn more as a newly independent driver than you do as a learner driver. I’ve probably picked up more in the last fortnight than I did in the forty hours of lessons I’ve had over the last year (but that’s not to say they weren’t useful, because I wouldn’t be driving without them). Every new driver is in the same situation and even if some are more confident than others, there are some things that everyone should bear in mind.
 

• P-plates are your friend. They’ll make other people on the road aware that you’re new on the road and might make small mistakes. If you stall, miss a gap on the roundabout or grind your gears then the drivers around you will, fingers crossed, have more patience or understanding. However, it’s important to note that P-plates do not excuse dangerous mistakes or carelessness.
  

•  Take your time. If you’re at a busy roundabout or a busy junction, don’t go out unless you’re absolutely sure. It’s better to be safe and slow than to try and rush yourself and potentially cause an accident or a near miss. This may irritate drivers around you, which is where P-plates come into use.
  

 

• Don’t let other drivers rush you. You may have people behind you or around you who beep their horns or become annoyed if you’re a bit slower than others on the road. Don’t let them hurry you or cause you to try and pull away – again, it’s much better to be safe and slow than to cause an accident.
  

• Keep your eyes out for road signs. This is probably quite an obvious one, but I know I’ve missed them before. They’ll tell you which lanes to be in, any speed limit changes and whether roundabouts are coming up. It simply helps you be more aware of the road ahead. 
  

  

• Stick to routes you know at first. Facing new roads and more challenging routes is key for building experience but in your first few weeks, when you’re still prone to stalling or other small mistakes, sticking to routes you know is good. I found it helped if I knew where I was going since it gave me less to worry about, and let me get used to my car. It meant I knew how to change gears and get the biting point without looking and I can now drive to more places as I am more comfortable. 
  

    

• Do not even think about touching your phone. Again, this is an obvious one but it might be tempting to change your music at traffic lights or try and adjust the sat-nav on your screen. If you’re caught doing so, you’ll lose your license immediately and it can be extremely dangerous. It’s just not worth it.     
  

  

• Relax. Not to the point where you’re not focusing but getting stressed will cause you to make more mistakes. Remember that there’s a reason you passed your test and you do know what you’re doing. Take a breath and think about it.   
  

   

• If you’re still unsure, you can always have a few more lessons. Driving lessons aren’t just for people with provisional licenses. You can also get motorway lessons, which are great if you’re nervous about tackling them.