Passed Your Test? Here Are 5 Things You Need to Know

Being new on the roads can be daunting. The process of learning to drive isn’t always an easy one - understandably so - and while it does provide a comprehensive baseline for being safe behind the wheel, it can’t prepare you for all of the experiences you’ll likely encounter.

Fear of these unknowns can very quickly build up, causing you to feel stressed or anxious at the potential of them happening - or rather, waiting for them to happen.

In our recent survey of 2000 UK adults, we found many common threads when it came to the most stressful experiences for new drivers. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the results - and break down how you can ensure they never cause you undue panic again.

How to change a tyre

In our survey, we found that 65% of people found getting a flat tyre to be a stressful experience - with almost ? of respondents experiencing it within the first 6 months of passing their test. When you’re new to driving it can be hard to know what to do in this situation, but there are a few simple things to keep in mind.

Firstly, ensure you’re able to stop your car in a safe spot, visible to other drivers but out of the way of traffic. If you have a spare tyre and the correct tools - including a jack, wrench, and locking wheel nut key - then you can attempt to change the tyre yourself.

Take a look at our guide to changing a car tyre for a step-by-step breakdown, but keep in mind that you should never attempt this if you feel that the environment around you is unsafe. In that instance, move away from the road and contact a breakdown service.

What to do when you break down

Breaking down is a very stressful experience as a driver - particularly when you’re new to getting behind the wheel. In fact, it topped the list of most stressful driving experiences in our survey, with 74% finding it stressful - and 33% finding it extremely stressful.

While it is a stressful situation to find yourself in, know that in some instances it simply can’t be helped. The first thing to do is move your car to a safe space, turning off at the next junction where possible if you’re on a motorway or busy road.

Once you’re in a safe spot, put your hazards on, get out of the car, and move away from the road - use the passenger side if you’re on the motorway. Remember that it’s dangerous to stay in your car when you break down.

When you’re safely away from the dangers of nearby traffic, call for assistance. If you break down on a motorway, there are some additional considerations - check out our guide for full details.

Don’t forget that regular car maintenance can help to prevent car breakdowns, so getting in a good routine of annual car servicing is always a good idea.

What to do if a warning light appears

For new drivers, a warning light appearing on the dashboard was one of the top stressful experiences to encounter - with 19% of those surveyed describing the experience as extremely stressful. In fact, we found that a warning light causes a fairly consistent level of stress irrespective of experience, meaning even if you’ve been on the road for a while, it may still make you tense.

The key thing to remember is that, in many cases, you can continue driving - until you can get your car to a garage for a diagnostic check. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the warning light meanings for your specific model of car, which can often be found in your owner’s manual, or online.

One of the most concerning warning lights is the brake warning light, which often looks like a circle around an exclamation mark, surrounded on each side by what look like rounded brackets. We’ve got a comprehensive guide for what to do if your brake warning light comes on, as well as one specifically for your oil warning light coming on, too. However, if a light does appear, it’s best to book an appointment with a trained technician as soon as possible to ensure your car stays safe.

What to know when taking your car for an MOT

Taking your car for its first MOT can be quite daunting. In fact, 34% of respondents in our survey reported finding the experience stressful.

It makes sense — there’s the possibility that there will be something wrong with your vehicle that you’ll have to pay to fix. But, with a reliable mechanic, you can rest assured that your car is in safe hands and, if work is needed, you’ll have the process and any issues explained to you.

It’s best to also keep in mind that an MOT isn’t just a yearly cost — it’s a legality that keeps you safe, as well as saving you money on repairs in the long run.

When taking your car for its first MOT, be sure to prepare by ticking off our pre-mot checklist. There are plenty of things you can check at home before going so that you don’t fail on something simple like a lack of windscreen washer fluid.

Not sure when your MOT is due? Use our free MOT date checker tool before booking in with the experts.

How to jump start your car

Sometimes, often at the most inconvenient moment, your car battery will fail you. It might be a winter morning before you head off to work; you try to start the engine and you just get a clicking sound in return.

When this happens, you’ll need to either use a battery charging bank or enlist the help of another vehicle with a running battery. It helps to always have jump leads stowed in the back of your car so that you can get going in a pinch!

Now, the process of jump starting your car is not complicated, but it’s vital to get it right for safety reasons. Read our guide to jump starting a car with a dead battery.

If your car’s battery dies again soon after, it’s best to book in for a battery health check.

Safe car, safer driving

One thing to remember as a new driver is that a lot of unfortunate or stressful incidents can be avoided, or at least minimised, through a proactive car maintenance routine. Ensure you take your car for regular servicing and scheduled MOT appointments, but, if you have any concerns or warning lights appear, book an ad hoc appointment at your local centre as soon as possible.