How can I build confidence driving on UK roads as a new, nervous driver?

[MissPiggy2025]

I past my test around January time and im okay driving around my home town but im extremely nervous taking new routes and long journeys and im scared of other drivers and doing the wrong thing and hurting myself or others.

Im currently pregnant too so that's an added pressure. If I hurt myself thats just me but I dony want to hurt my baby.

I've only had a couple bumps and luckily no ones been around to see it. I just have a lot if self doubt and lack a lot of confidence.

I start to panic instead of just carrying on and have a break down last time I did a big girl drive and had to get my husband to save me 🤣 because i was crying in tops tiles car park.

Updates

2 mo

I even do practice with my husband sometimes if I know im gonna have to take a new road somewhere

Updates

2 mo

I did it and it was easy. Im alive everyone yayyyy 🙌

[purplepoppy]

Remember you've as much right to be on the road as anyone else, you've paid your car tax plus you've an ancient right to travel the Kings Highway. Don't feel you're in the way or holding people up, everyone slows down on unfamiliar roads.

If going a long way try and plan your timing so you don't hit awkward junctions at rush hour. If you know it's a nightmare getting out at a junction in heavy consider a different route, it'll often save you time

[Telekinetic-Potato]

When I got my license, I drove to an abandoned bus depot with cones I stole from road construction sites and practiced getting to know my car.

Granted, I knew how to fix my car myself. But I'd go up to 20, pass the cone slam on the brakes, see how close to the cone I was. Do the same at 30, 50 etc. Oh. 50 mph, the car skids, what happens if I turn the wheel a little, a little more next time.

And it gave me a level of confidence driving that has stuck with me for life.

Just the other day I rushed a friend to the hospital in rush hour traffic in the rain but I got us there quick and safe. People don't think of driving as a skill but it's like any other.

Study, learn it, practice and when someone shoots out into the street while you're taking a blind turn, panic will be the last thing on your mind.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

If you lived enough time exclusively in the UK it already helps with reflexes lol.

My first time in UK, as a pedestrian, was quite dangerous. For my entire life I've been taught to watch my left before crossing a street.

But UK told me:

"NO. DON'T DO THAT HERE. FOOLISH."

[Jessica405]

Get yoirself a good sat nav like TomTom so you can get verbal directions. That will make navigation less of a worry.

If you find you are in the wrong lane, DON'T try to corrr

[Jessica405]

... correct suddenly. You sat nav will guide you back on track.

Practice!

[NicholasofAustralia]

Ahh tomtom ; I've used those lines myself and it's an iconic brand : even 2005 levels iconic 🎚️ recognition

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Can't believe someone 31yo would dig up tomtom devices from the tech grave lol

[Jessica405]

@Maybe_Maybe_not It's old, but it works

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I didn't even know it still worked, how does it operate though, with your broadband contract?

[DryGermanGuy]

Drive, drive and drive some more. And get a good satellite navigation device.

[MissPiggy2025]

I used my mums sat nav and told me all the wrong directions as to why last time my husband had to save me from tops tiles car park.

I got the App waze but I didn't get on with that either

[DryGermanGuy]

Get a TomTom device with current (!) maps.

[msc545]

I would suggest only driving in the daytime on local roads and only if you need to. After your child is born, you could maybe take some driving lessons and try again. Driving while you're pregnant is not a good idea if you can avoid it.

[AngryCarl3]

Drive every day. With practice comes competence.

[Jeff51]

Just drive it. Take some time learning the rds

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Learn to drive defensively

[Anonymous]

You should do things without your husband

[In_Trance]

Practice

[PeterLegg91]

Take your time