New driver tips: 10 essentials

Whether you are new to driving or are thinking about it, take a look at our top 10 driving tips for new drivers.

Make a mistake and the average response is: "don't worry, it happens to us all".

That's true. But make one mistake every day and you're in trouble. It's called getting into the habit of making errors. But if you can change that, so much the better.

If you see a car in front of you stop and give them a signal, it is polite to give them some warning. This may not matter too much for a novice driver, but it is much appreciated by those trying to drive.

So let's look at our top 10 driving tips for new drivers:

1. Make a mental note of road signs

You'll need to become familiar with road signs to drive safely. This is an easy way to start, but it's not a good idea to copy another driver. You need to use your own judgement. However, if you find someone else going at the same speed as you on a road and you want to follow them, copy them.

2. Use hand signals

You can use hand signals to warn other drivers of an impending collision.

A useful hand signal is a simple one which is easy to learn. It's used to tell people what you intend to do next. So if you are intending to pass on a one-way street, you'll simply put your left hand up.

If you are going to change lanes on to a busy road you will use a two-hand signal.

If you have parked on a double-yellow line you should give the horn to someone in front or a good way back before you drive away.

3. Don't rely on cruise control

Use cruise control to slow down when approaching intersections. A car on cruise control travels at the same speed as other traffic, regardless of the speed limit. So if the speed limit is 70mph, it will travel 70mph. The problem is, it may well want to go faster than that. In a country like ours you'll often have to choose between two things: a road that's too fast for you or the risk of an accident. In the short term it's probably better to go for the former. And if you get into the habit of using cruise control at all speeds, you'll soon stop looking forward to the moment when the speed limit goes up again.

4. Make eye contact

If a car in front stops in a junction, look at them before you go through the lights. This tells them you are slowing down and you'll be in a better position to make a decision about which way to go.

If a car is speeding you'll want to look at their lights, so you can tell what the situation is. It may be they are just changing gears, or it may be that they are in a heavy jam.

5. Keep your head on a swivel

Watch what's going on in all directions around you. This is especially true on dual carriageways and motorways where your line of vision is much less.

Even when you are near the side of the road, it's a good idea to watch behind you. This will reduce the risk of accident, since the car will be more visible.

Watching out for hazards also shows you are being alert. It will make you less likely to get a speeding ticket.

6. Watch the speed limit

It's tempting to just keep driving at a steady speed. But this is reckless.

A slow car may be an absolute nightmare for everyone on the road. So remember to drive safely. The safest approach is to travel at a speed that allows you to easily see other cars.

7. If you are driving more than 50 mph and a vehicle in front starts to slow down, follow them.

This lets the driver know you're looking out for them. It's less risky for them to slow down because they will see you are keeping up.

Also, it will cut down on the risk of you hitting them.

8. Use blinkers

If you are near the side of a motorway, do use them.

They tell people around you that you intend to change lanes or turn into a motorway service station.

But they are also used to tell other drivers what you intend to do next, so give them a chance to know you are about to change lanes.

9. When driving slowly, allow for the gaps between vehicles

It is easy to feel that driving at 60mph is much safer than driving at 30mph.

In fact, there is a slight risk that at 30mph you might drive straight into a car in front of you.

At 60mph, you can see the car in front more easily and react to them.

10. Know your side of the road

If you are driving on a dual carriageway and you have a lane only for left hand traffic you may need to make an adjustment.

Do you intend to go to the right or left?

If you go to the right you'll use the lane, but you have to check that no other driver wants to go left.

If you go to the left it's not a problem, but you'll need to watch out for drivers on the wrong side of the road.