Driving can be an exciting as well as daunting task for beginners. If you now have your driver’s license and are excited to grab the keys, it’s very important that you remember all the basics of comprehensive driving training for new drivers and consider a few safety driving tips. If you still haven’t obtained your license in Massachusetts, make sure to review all the necessary steps and consider enrolling in a driving school in Massachusetts for new drivers to ensure you are fully prepared.
As many wonderful things there are about driving, there are also dangers. It’s very important to follow traffic rules, maintain the right speed, and not be influenced by the other drivers’ behavior.
So all the new drivers out there need to follow some safe driving tips for beginner drivers before they take hold of the steering wheel. CMSC Driving School provides invaluable guidance to ensure you are ready to take to the road with confidence and caution.
Here are 7 main tips for new drivers from professionals
1. Familiarize Yourself with your Car
If you have purchased a new or used car after passing the road test, it might be a little different to drive compared to the vehicle you used to learn how to drive. The buttons and dashboard indicators may be in different places, the speed may not be as obvious, and car controls like gear change, clutch, headlights, hazards, brakes and parking brake may be different. CMSC Driving School offers additional practice sessions with different car models, helping you get comfortable with any new vehicle features and controls including ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. If you are in the South Shore area, consider enrolling in CMSC Driving School in South Shore for hands-on experience with various vehicles.
Here are a few vehicle adjustment tips for new drivers to remember:
Vehicle Adjustment
- Adjust your seat for visibility, comfort and alertness
- Set side and rearview mirrors for optimal rear views
- Position the headrest to prevent neck injuries
Hand Positioning
- Keep hands at 9 and 3 on the steering wheel
- Avoid the outdated 10-and-2 position due to airbag risks
- Ensure a clear view of all your dashboard lights and indicators
Take time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle. Learn how to use its features and controls by sitting in it while it’s parked. Make sure you understand its blindspots by asking a friend to stand 10 feet behind the car to the left and right and take steps toward And away from the car. When your friend is out of view in your side mirrors that is your Blindspot. It could be a truck or a kid on the bike so you need to quickly turn your head to see what’s there before leaving a parking spot or merging onto a highway or into another lane. After that, you can drive around town for a little while to get a feel for how the car handles.
2. Take it Slow and Steady
The most important tip as a new driver is to take it slow and steady. Drive at the speed you feel comfortable at within the law, of course – and remember that speed limitations are just that, not a target. Driving 5 miles beneath the speed limit will give you enough time to react to another car cutting you off or a ball rolling into the street. CMSC Driving School teaches new drivers defensive driving techniques for new drivers and situational awareness to build confidence at their own pace and calmly handle new situations like another car tailgating or honking. Remember road rage is a choice. You always have a choice not to engage with an aggressive driver or even look at them as they pass by. If another driver is really aggressive and following you you can always drive to a fire or police station.
Here are a few other tips to keep in mind
Understanding the Right of Way
- Know when you have the right of way and when others have the right away such as oncoming traffic when you were trying to take an unprotected left
- Expect others to stop but be calmly aware and ready if they don’t
- Don’t feel rushed
- Be aware of your surroundings, painted lane markings, traffic lights and signs
Navigating Different Scenarios
- Always stop when a pedestrian enters the street. Think of them as walking stop signs. Go slower on crowded streets or in tight spaces
- Reduce your speed when it’s raining, sleeting or snowing.
- Follow speed limits and the rules of the road
- Observe other drivers without feeling nervous
- Trust your training and ability to react if necessary.
- Take CMSC Driving School’s Skidz course to learn how to safely navigate a skid while avoiding pedestrians and obstacles on the side of the road.
Making Safe Decisions
- Always wait for safe opportunities to turn left, or enter traffic to the right. It might feel like a long time but it’s only a minute or two, so be patient
- Never feel bad about making others wait for safety
- Everyone was a new driver once; and learning takes time and lots of experiences
Choosing the Right Lane
- On the highway, the right lane is for a slower pace or entering and exiting on or off ramps, the middle lane is the travel lane, and the left lane is for passing
- Don’t feel discouraged by faster drivers. Let them go on their dangerous way. if someone is tailgating you, preserve the safety cushion around your car by safely merging into the right lane and letting them pass.
- Remember, “speed kills”. Always maintain a safe driving speed that keeps you and others safe by giving you time to react.
Do not feel pressure to go faster, from your passengers or other drivers on the road who may try to ‘bully’ you. For your sake and theirs, you always have the right to protect yourself and them by not speeding. Let the bullies pass and go on their way.
3. Don’t Be Overconfident
It’s very important not to be overconfident. After passing your test, you might feel that you are the greatest driver in the world, but overconfidence can lead to speeding, bad driving, taking unnecessary risks and lack of awareness.
Stay Safe, Calm and Aware
- Follow the traffic rules and be ready to anticipate other people’s bad driving or pedestrians stepping into the road at an intersection
- Don’t speed from one stoplight to the next
- Be calm and confident in your safe driving practices
Even after you get your driving license, there are lots of things to learn about being on the road such as driving in different weather, different kinds of traffic and car controls. Drive sensibly and never feel rushed or take unnecessary risks. For more tips to build driving confidence without becoming overconfident, check out our blog on How CMSC Driving School helps teens take the fear out of driving.
4. Junior operator license, JOL
In Massachusetts, the Junior Operator License (JOL) comes with several restrictions aimed at promoting safe driving habits among new, young drivers. Here are some of the key restrictions:
- Passenger Restriction: For the first six months after obtaining the JOL, a junior operator is not allowed to have any passengers under the age of 18 in the vehicle, except for immediate family members, unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience.
- Night Driving Restriction: A junior operator cannot drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. This restriction is in place regardless of the reason for driving.
- Cell Phone Use: Junior operators are prohibited from using any mobile device, including hands-free devices, while driving. This includes making calls, texting, or using any other mobile applications.
- Seat Belt Requirement: All occupants in a vehicle driven by a junior operator must wear seat belts at all times. This is mandatory for both the driver and all passengers.
- Suspension for Violations: Certain violations, such as speeding, driving negligently or recklessly, or violating the passenger or night driving restrictions, can result in a license suspension. The length of the suspension varies depending on the nature of the violation.
These restrictions are designed to help new drivers gain experience and reduce the likelihood of accidents during the initial period of their licensure.
CMSC South Shore Driving School advises all new drivers to to follow the JOL law closely which will keep you safe, reduce distraction and allow you to build driving confidence over time.
5. Avoid Distraction
While reducing passengers to a minimum can help prevent distractions, it’s important to take extra precautions to keep your attention on the road and learn how to avoid distractions while driving.
This can include reducing the volume of your music turning off and removing anything in the car that is preoccupying you or reducing visibility. And remove or relocate any thing that may block your line of sight such as EZ toll passes, cameras, air fresheners or car stickers.
6. Parking Techniques
CMSC Driving School offers specialized parking classes that teach step-by-step parking techniques for beginner drivers for both backing into and parallel parking. While backing into the parking space, turn on your directional signal and look for oncoming vehicles. Then put your right arm over the back of the front passenger seat and look out the rear window. Always look in the direction the car is moving in. You can use your rearview mirror and camera assist but it’s safer to look out the rear window the majority of the time. When everything is clear, put your car in reverse, turn the steering wheel, and slowly back up. Then straighten the wheel to align your rear wheels and keep checking your side mirrors to avoid hitting any other vehicle next to you. Once you are lined up, straighten the wheel and back up until the front of your car is in line with other cars.
The next parking technique is parallel parking which is tricky but with practice, you’ll get it.
The best way to learn parallel parking is to practice driving in reverse. This would be done in a safe, open space or on a secure driving track. If you think about it, parallel parking is really just driving your car in reverse until it’s safely behind another car.
In parallel parking make sure the spot you want to park is big enough. It should be 1.5 times the car’s length.
If you don’t have the ability to practice driving in reverse then there are certain steps you can follow and memorize.
- Position Your Car: Align your car parallel to the car in front of the parking space, leaving about 2-3 feet between the two cars. Ensure your rear bumpers are roughly aligned.
- Reverse and Turn: Begin reversing slowly while turning the steering wheel sharply toward the curb. Continue until your car is at a 45-degree angle to the curb and the front of your car is clear of the car in front.
- Straighten and Align: Straighten the steering wheel and continue reversing slowly until your car is fully in the space. Then, turn the steering wheel away from the curb to straighten the car and center it within the space.
For more detailed guidance and hands-on practice, join our Parallel Parking Bootcamp to master the parallel parking technique.
Final Thoughts
Driving safely means always being aware of your surroundings, knowing your vehicle, preserving the safety zone around it, and following all traffic rules. CMSC Driving School has helped over 100,000 new drivers feel more prepared and confident by offering comprehensive lessons on driving safety and techniques.
With its tips and guidance, you will be better prepared for driving.
Respect the rules of the road and never drive too fast. Be a safe driver by observing all road markings and signs. For those looking to become the safest license driver possible enroll in our award-winning driver’s ed at CMSC South Shore Driving School. And if you want to take your driving skill to the next level be sure to sign up for our state-certified Advanced Driver Training “SKIDZ” or Driver Skills Development program DSDP— included Free with driver’s ed!
FAQs
- How do I adjust my car seat and mirrors for safe driving?
For your seat, make sure you can see the dashboard and the road clearly, and that you’re comfortable. Adjust your mirrors so you have the best view of your surroundings. The headrest should be positioned to prevent neck injuries.
2. What is the best hand position on the steering wheel?
Keep your hands at the 9 and 3 positions on the steering wheel. This is safer than the outdated 10 and 2 positions, especially if your airbag deploys.
3. What are the basic skills required to drive?
- Vehicle understanding and spatial awareness
- The capacity to quickly adjust to changing conditions
- Becoming mature enough to master your emotions and decision-making abilities
4. What are the most dangerous ages to drive?
Between the ages of 16 and 19 are statistically the most dangerous ages to drive. Distractions, lack of focus, and emotional influences such as peer pressure contribute to higher injury and accident rates then any other time in one’s life.
5. What are some essential parking techniques for new drivers?
For backing into a parking space, check your mirrors and cameras before reversing, but mostly remember the “3 R’s” when driving in Reverse, put your Right arm behind the front passenger seat and look out the Rear window for the majority of the time. Always look in the direction you are driving. For the best parallel parking, learn the skill of driving in reverse. On average we will all spend a very small amount of our time driving in reverse. The more we can practice it the better we will be at parallel parking. If you don’t have access to a safe, empty parking lot or a enclosed track you can learn and memorize the “three steps for good parallel parking” which include, the “3 R’s”, ensuring the spot is large enough, aligning your car correctly, reversing slowly as you turn in while adjusting as needed.
5. On which side should I pass another car?
On the highway always pass a car on its left, but there are times in city or local driving when a car stops to take a left turn that you will pass on the right side.
6. Do you indicate when changing lanes?
Yes, always signal your intention to change lanes to drivers behind you. Signaling is one of the only ways we have of communicating with other drivers. So, turn on the indicator a few seconds before initiating the lane change and check your Blindspot. SMOG is a good acronym to remember. It stands for “signal, mirror, over the shoulder, go.” Put your signal on, look in the mirror, then over your shoulder to check there’s nothing in your blindspot and then change lanes. Also remember to use your signal about 100 feet in city traffic before making a turn and 500 feet before exiting the highway.
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