Young drivers can often find it difficult to get out on the open road, even though they definitely like the idea of it. They face the hurdles of the driving test first and foremost, which can be overwhelming. Being in test exam conditions on both theory questions and practically as well. But it isn’t just about gaining the license is it? It’s also about the running costs and being able to afford to drive and be on the road. I thought I would highlight some of the young driver motoring issues anyone can face, and hopefully, offer some insight and advice on how to overcome it.
Obtaining the right credentials to start learning to drive
One of the first things you need to do is to obtain the right credentials for driving. That might mean a provisional license or application to start. Often, you need to provide evidence of living in the country, and even some form of ID like a passport. But once you have it all in place you can begin the journey to start driving. This is often one of the exciting parts of turning the authorised age to drive. The moment when you don’t have to consider public transport anymore and that you can get out on the open road.
Passing your driving test with ease
Passing your driving test sounds simple. But there is a lot to do with the actual process. There happens to be some study involved, for example, learning traffic laws and road regulations. In some cases, this is then examined and tested before you can even pass a practical examination. Thankfully, some of it is common sense. The practical side of things takes practice. Some people prefer to book a course, while others like to book in advance a certain amount of driving lessons to ensure that they get the relevant amount of road time with an instructor. However you decide to do it, make sure that you feel confident on the road before taking any practical exam. Often a failure can hit your confidence.
Considering a smaller car
Once you pass your test the next issue to face is the actual car purchasing process. Which can be daunting at the best of times. What sort of car is suitable for someone that has just passed their test? The truth is, you want to be thinking about having a smaller car where you can feel confident on the road. Many young drivers even think about purchasing the same make and model of car that they learnt in, to remain familiar with the controls and how the car feels to drive.
Thinking about your insurance costs
Insurance is one of the biggest issues any young and new driver can face. You may find that no matter what car you choose, the price seems to be outrageous for the first year. This tends to eb the case so that you can build up some history and no claims from the insurance provider. In most cases, the second year insurance is massively reduced if you have had no claims or issues within the first year. There are ways to try and reduce this initial cost. Firstly, you can consider having a tracker fitted to the car that monitors your driving skills.
How much will it cost to run?
You’d think that the costs would end with the purchase of a car and the insurance amount, but running the car can be equally be an issue for young drivers as well. The running costs are often a factor that isn’t taken into consideration when buying a car. But, depending on what sort of driving you will be doing, how much distance you will be travelling each day, and how often you will be using the car can all be factors into the general running costs. It isn’t just about the fuel either, it can also be factoring the costs of repairs and maintenance. Make sure you understand exactly what is involved in car ownership.
Not taking on too much at once
Finally, you need to ensure that you don’t take on too much at once the moment you have passed your test and purchased your car. It can be very tempting to go on a long road trip with friends or family, but driving on routes you aren’t familiar with, or highways with higher speed limits can be a recipe for disaster. Slowly build up your confidence.
I hope that highlighting some of these younger driver issues will help you or someone you know in the future.
