10 Ways To Become A Better Driver

What makes a good driver?

Driving’s about more than knowing the basics, and though a lot of people might be skilled enough to consider themselves great drivers, it’s all about the big picture. Sure, you might be a pro at parallel parking, but if you’re not considerate to other road users, then you’ve got a problem. Here are the most important takeaways when considering whether someone’s a good driver:

• Skill. If you’ve passed your test, that means you’re deemed to have the skill to navigate the day-to-day responsibilities of driving a car, but also be able to react to unexpected events and situations quickly and competently.
• Knowledge of road rules. Do you know what every sign means? Are you confident that you know all the rules of the road in your country? If it’s been a while since your theory test and you’re feeling a bit rusty, you might want to go back and refresh your memory. 
• Ability to anticipate. Focussing on the car right in front of you isn’t enough - to be a competent driver, you need to be able to maintain awareness of everything going on around you, so you can anticipate any unexpected changes accordingly and in good time.
• Patience. We get it - some people are slow, and it’s annoying. Some people are too fast, and that’s equally as annoying. Keep your side of the street clean, so to speak, don’t give in to road rage, and remember that most people are just like you - they’re just trying to get from A to B.
• Responsibility. Whether it’s making sure your passengers are all wearing their seatbelts, or sticking to soft drinks at a pub (that’s kind of a big one), responsibility is one of the most important parts of being a good driver. Driving has become so commonplace that it’s easy to forget how quickly things can go wrong, and you need to be alert and ready for anything to happen.
• Mechanical skills. No one’s expecting you to be an expert mechanic on the side, but having a good working knowledge of your own car is important.

Get to know your car

There’s a big difference between driving a Smart car and a Range Rover. All cars are different, and each model has its own quirks. Knowing the strengths and limitations of your car can take you a long way in becoming a better driver. A lot of this just comes from practice, but don’t skip the important (seemingly less interesting) stuff - the manual’s there for a reason.

Don’t speed

We know, it seems glaringly obvious, but many of us have been guilty of it at some point or another. Sticking to the speed limit is one of the simplest things you can do to avoid unnecessary accidents. If you need to overtake, do it safely, ensuring no other cars are around, and allow a wide berth as you pass.

Don’t accelerate or decelerate quickly

You might know you’re about to screech to a halt, but the driver behind you likely doesn’t - you need to give other drivers plenty of time when you decelerate. Similarly, accelerating quickly might seem tempting, but all you’re doing is wasting precious fuel and putting unnecessary stress on all the small moving parts of your engine.

Watch your mirrors

Before you do anything else, make sure your mirrors are adjusted correctly. It’s not just about keeping your eye on what’s ahead of you, you also need to be constantly aware of what’s going on all around you.

Practice on a track

Whether you need a refresh after years of being a legal driver, or you’re new to life behind the wheel, there’s no better way to sharpen your skills than on a purpose-built track. You’ll get feedback from an ARDS-licenced instructor in most cases, and they live and breathe cars, so they know better than most what makes a genuinely good driver.

Learn road markings and signs

How confident are you that you know every sign in the road book, and what it means? Even those obscure ones in the middle of nowhere? If your answer’s yes, then great - we’re impressed. But if you feel you could do with a reminder here or there, a few hours spent brushing up on The Highway Code can do no harm.

Observe your surroundings

Even if you’ve done the same car journey five times a week for the past decade, there’s no predicting when something unexpected might happen. That’s why it’s so important to maintain alertness at all times, observe what’s going on around you, and make sure you’re ready to react and respond quickly. (Side note - don’t get behind the wheel while you’re sleepy. Give yourself time to wake up, and treat yourself to a coffee first.)

Maintain your vehicle

It sounds like an obvious one, but how many of us have done a double-take when we’ve realised our MOT is due in 2 days? (Okay, maybe you’re more organised than we are - fair enough.) Even so, a yearly MOT is really the bare minimum you should be doing to make sure your car’s in good health - you’ll need to inspect your tyres regularly and fill them up when necessary, change the oil, check the fluids, and make sure your brake pads are working properly. That’s just the start! If you want to know more, here's a handy run-down on everything you need to do to keep your car in tip-top shape. 

Remove distractions

There’s a reason using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. There’s only so many things that we can keep our attention focussed on at once, and driving requires the vast majority of our attention. That’s not to say you can’t listen to music or chat to your friend in the passenger seat while you drive - just make sure that your priority is always the road. So if you’re listening to the radio and you get to a busy roundabout, let’s say, turn it off so you can give the task at hand your full attention. It’s important to be honest with yourself about how much extra stimulation your mind can handle while you drive - some people might be able to blast music at top volume, but if you can’t, accept it and make sure to stick to responsible habits instead.

Keep calm

Sometimes the most obvious suggestions are the most important. Keeping calm, staying patient and being courteous to others on the road are key parts to becoming a good driver. Avoid road rage, don’t engage in arguments, and remember that safety should always be your utmost priority. If you find yourself getting stressed about being lost or in the wrong place, find a free car park or legal parking space, pull over, and calm yourself down before doing anything else.

FAQs

Here we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a better driver.

How many hours does it take to become a good driver?

On average, it takes about 45 hours of professional driving lessons plus 20 hours of independent practice to learn to drive competently.

This can vary hugely depending on the individual and their circumstances; some people will have a natural knack behind the wheel, whilst others will find driving more challenging.

Can I learn driving by myself?

The short answer is no. Learning to drive requires a huge amount of knowledge and practice, which is why it’s strongly recommended that you take driving lessons from a licenced professional.

Is everyone bad at driving at first?

Driving involves a complex set of skills that need to be practiced and honed over a period of time. While some people might take to it more easily than others, no one is born knowing how to drive! A big factor in what people might consider ‘bad driving’ is simply confidence. The more you practice, the more you’ll trust yourself behind the wheel.

What are bad driving habits?

At some point in every driver’s life, they’ll pick up some less-than-perfect habits - that’s why it’s always recommended that you get lessons from a professional, rather than your parents or friends. However, not all bad habits are created equal - here are some you should actively avoid:

• Braking heavily and quickly. Not only is it bad for your car, it can be dangerous for the driver behind.
• Using your phone while driving. It’s illegal for a reason. Whatever’s on your phone can wait - and if it can’t, pull over somewhere safe and wait until your engine’s switched off.
• Aggressive driving. Tailgating, cutting others off, and not indicating at important junctions are all bad driving habits that can lead to serious accidents.
• Driving with full beams. Having your full beams on can seriously obscure another driver’s ability to see. They should only be used on specific occasions - check out this helpful guide from the RAC for more information.