What Basic Skills Should All Drivers Have
If you’re a teen driver or learner driver, you may be wondering what basic driving skills all drivers should have as they learn to drive in NSW or VIC. Here are a few top recommendations and tips from LTrent Driving School.
1. Familiarity With All Car Controls & Functions
Before you even drive a car, start by sitting in the driver’s seat and familiarise yourself with the position of the gear shifter, steering wheel, windshield wipers, lights, cruise control, and other such essential functions of the vehicle.
This helps you feel more comfortable once you start driving. You’ll quickly remember where each button, switch, and vehicle function is located, so you won’t have to look away from the road to do things like turn on your windshield wipers.
2.The Ability To Drive Without Distractions
When you get behind the wheel, you should be able to focus and concentrate on your surroundings, and not get distracted by conversations, fiddling with the radio, or using a mobile phone (which is illegal).
To stay safe when driving, you must be able to focus exclusively on the road, and listen to instructions from your guardian, parent, or driving instructor.
3. Identifying & Recognising All Common Road Signs
You need to be able to recognise all common road signs like stop signs, speed limit signs, yield signs, and other such signs before you start driving. We recommend studying your driver’s handbook to familiarise yourself with common road signs.
4. Using Mirrors & Doing Head Checks For Blind Spots
Blind spots are the areas next to your car where you can’t see a car from your peripheral vision or with your mirrors. “Head checks,” where you rotate your head 90 degrees and look to your side, are an essential skill to learn in order to check your blind spots.
5. Adjusting For Weather Conditions
You need to be able to adjust and drive safely in weather conditions like heavy rain by leaving more space between yourself and other cars, reducing your speed, and taking other such precautions. This is a skill that you will learn over time as you drive in fog, rain, and other such weather conditions.
6. Look Ahead & Maintain Safe Following Distances
You need to keep at least 3-4 seconds of space between you and the car in front of you, and you should also be looking further ahead on the road to identify potential obstacles, road signs, stop lights, and other such road elements.
Build Your Driving Skills With The Help Of A Driving Instructor!
Not sure if you have these essential driving skills? That’s okay! Working with a professional driving instructor at LTrent Driving School will allow you to quickly build your skills and confidence behind the wheel. Contact us online to schedule lessons in NSW or VIC right away. If you’re a learner driver in NSW, you can also complete the Safer Drivers Course which accounts for 20 of your logbook hours.