Common Mistakes New Drivers Make and How to Avoid Them
Learning to drive is an exciting journey, but it’s natural to make mistakes along the way. At GP Driving School Manchester, we’ve helped countless learners gain confidence behind the wheel. To make your learning experience smoother, we’ve highlighted some of the most common mistakes new drivers make—and how to avoid them.
1. Not Checking Mirrors Regularly
One of the biggest mistakes new drivers make is failing to check their mirrors often enough. Mirrors help you stay aware of your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Make it a habit to check your mirrors before changing lanes, turning, or braking. A good rule is to follow the MSM routine—Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre—to ensure safe driving.
2. Braking Too Harshly
Sudden or excessive braking can be dangerous, especially in wet conditions. It can cause passengers discomfort and increase the risk of skidding.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Practice progressive braking—apply the brakes gently and gradually to come to a smooth stop. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead to avoid last-minute braking.
3. Poor Steering Control
New drivers sometimes grip the steering wheel too tightly or struggle with smooth turning, leading to jerky movements or overcorrection.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Use the “push-pull” technique for controlled steering. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 (or 9 and 3 for better airbag safety) and make smooth, gradual turns.
4. Hesitating at Roundabouts
Roundabouts can be intimidating for learners, and hesitation can confuse other drivers, leading to traffic build-up or unsafe situations.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Approach roundabouts slowly and observe traffic from your right. If the way is clear, proceed confidently—but never rush. Your GP Driving School instructor will guide you through different roundabout types in Manchester.
5. Ignoring Speed Limits
Many learners either drive too slowly out of nervousness or exceed speed limits unknowingly.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Regularly check speed limit signs and match your speed to road conditions. In Manchester, residential areas often have 20 mph limits, while main roads may allow 30-40 mph.
6. Forgetting to Cancel Indicators
Leaving indicators on after a turn can confuse other road users and cause accidents.
✅ How to Avoid It:
After completing a turn or lane change, check your dashboard to ensure your indicators have turned off. If not, manually switch them off.
7. Not Anticipating Other Road Users
Many new drivers focus too much on their own actions and fail to anticipate what other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians might do.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Always scan the road ahead, check for potential hazards, and expect the unexpected—especially in busy areas like Manchester city centre.
8. Lack of Confidence in Parking
Parallel parking, bay parking, and reversing can be daunting for beginners.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Take your time! Use reference points and practice in quiet areas before trying in busier locations. Your GP Driving School instructor will teach you simple techniques to perfect your parking skills.
9. Driving in the Wrong Gear
New drivers sometimes forget to change gears at the right time, which can lead to stalling or inefficient driving.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Listen to the engine sound and change gears smoothly. In manual cars, shift up before the engine gets too loud and downshift before the car struggles. If you’re learning in an automatic, focus on smooth acceleration and braking.
10. Letting Nerves Take Over
Many learners struggle with nerves, especially in the early lessons or during their test.
✅ How to Avoid It:
Stay calm and focused. Practice deep breathing if you feel anxious. Remember, mistakes are part of learning, and your instructor is there to help.
Learn to Drive with Confidence at GP Driving School Manchester
Mistakes are part of the learning process, but with the right guidance, you can become a safe and confident driver. At GP Driving School Manchester, our experienced instructors will help you avoid these common errors and develop good driving habits.
Book your driving lessons today!
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