Drivers must have a variety of skills to be successful in their role. Some of these skills include obeying traffic laws, interacting with other drivers and navigating correctly to their destinations.
Having good driving skills can be a big asset in any career. They can also save you money on insurance costs and repair costs.
Basics
Driving skills are a must if you want to be safe and feel comfortable behind the wheel. It’s not a skill that can be learned overnight; it takes time and practice to learn the ins and outs of being an effective driver.
One of the first things that you’ll need to know is how your vehicle works, both inside and out. This includes how to change gears and how the engine works – both of which are crucial for keeping your vehicle in good working order and helping you to maintain control on the road.
Also, it’s important to understand the basics of how the power goes from your engine to your wheels – that’s what the power train is all about. Once you have an understanding of how your car operates, you’ll be able to safely drive on the highway and use it to its maximum potential without damaging it.
Another important driver’s safety skill is to recognise the various road signs and signals that are posted on the roads. This will help you to avoid accidents, such as those involving lane changes or pedestrian crossings.
A little more complex, but still a basic driver’s safety skill, is to understand how to make a sharp turn. This is a fairly simple concept but it can often be difficult to grasp when you are new to the wheel.
The key to making a sharp turn is to hold the steering wheel steady, but at the same time allow the vehicle to move. It’s a technique that will come in handy many times over the years as you become more confident and comfortable driving on the roads.
A final tip is to remember that it is always best to take things slowly when learning new skills, as sudden inputs can cause you to lose control and put yourself in dangerous situations. So, make sure you get plenty of rest and be aware of your surroundings before you start your driving lessons!
Advanced
Advanced driving skills involve the ability to drive with a high level of concentration, observation and anticipation. Unlike basic driving skills, advanced driver training focuses on a more systematic approach to avoiding dangers, which is why it is sometimes also called defensive driving.
Using this knowledge, an advanced driver is able to avoid accidents or incidents that are out of their control. This includes being aware of other road users, weather and road conditions. It can also include knowing the best way to drive in different situations, such as when the weather is wet or when you are travelling at night.
It is not uncommon for an advanced driver to have more confidence in their abilities, and this can make the entire process much less stressful. As well as helping you feel more comfortable behind the wheel, advanced driving courses can help you to reduce your risk of an accident and can even lead to a reduction in your insurance premium.
There are several different types of advanced driving courses, from those that focus on motorway driving to those that concentrate on specific areas of driving, so it is important to find one that is right for you. Many of these courses are available to drivers of all ages, so whether you’re looking for an intensive full-day course or a shorter workshop, there should be something for you.
The first step to taking an advanced driving course is finding a qualified instructor. The best instructors will be able to assess your skills and advise you on the type of advanced driving course that would be most beneficial for you.
A number of organisations offer advanced driving courses, including IAM RoadSmart. This is a UK charity that works to reduce accidents and promote safer driving by educating drivers and riders. It has around 60 groups that are DVSA-approved and offer free sessions to improve your driving skills.
They also offer a bespoke training programme that can be tailored to suit your needs and can include the Advanced Driving Test as part of the course. They will also provide feedback to you throughout the course to help you improve your driving.
Another option is the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). This organisation provides a number of courses in the UK that aim to make roads safer by improving driver and rider skills. They have a number of qualified examiners with a UK Police Advanced Driving qualification who can teach you how to preempt errors and react in ways that can help save lives.
The RoSPA Advanced Driving Test is based on the principles of ‘Roadcraft: The Police Driver’s Handbook’ and the Highway Code, which are proven to be effective in reducing accidents. The tests are designed to improve your skills in a range of situations, including traffic lights and roundabouts. You’ll be given verbal and written feedback from your trainer, and you’ll also receive a certificate to prove that you have completed the course.
Intermediate
Developing intermediate driving skills requires more time to practice than the basics. This means practicing on a variety of roads, with different traffic conditions and different drivers. The most important thing is to learn how to drive with confidence and to be able to show your examiner that you are safe on the road.
Learning intermediate driving skills is a great way to improve your overall driving ability and ensure that you are ready for the advanced driver test when it comes. You will need to learn about intersections, roundabouts and how to use your indicators when making a turn. You also need to be able to control the speed of your vehicle and know how to keep it in a single lane.
Another great intermediate driving skill is to be able to spot potential hazards when you are out on the road. This can be a tricky one to get right, but it is essential to stay safe when you are out on the road.
You can learn more about how to identify hazards with this free video tutorial. It will help you to recognize things like trees, cars and people that might be a problem for you when you are out on the road.
The best part is that you can learn these skills with other people in the car too, so you can practise together and make sure that you both stay safe on the road.
Once you have mastered these basic driving skills, then it’s time to move onto the intermediate ones. You should be able to pass your driving skills test once you have mastered all of these.
Your examiner won’t be trying to trick you into doing something illegal or dangerous, they just want to ensure that you are a safe driver. They will have a clipboard or some other form of writing with a list of the skills that they are looking for you to demonstrate.
They’ll be a little bit worried about you, but they just want to ensure that you are able to safely and effectively demonstrate the skills that you need to pass your driving test. You should be able to show them that you are a safe driver and that you know how to control the speed of your vehicle.
As you practice these intermediate driving skills, remember to take them slowly and focus on the details. You should also practice a lot of mirrors, so you know how to scan an intersection before you enter it. You should also be able to do shoulder checks before changing direction of your vehicle, both in the parking lot and on the road.
The most important thing is to keep practicing these intermediate driving skills until you feel comfortable with them. If you are unsure whether you have these driving skills in place, then check out our free checklist of intermediate driving skills that we have to offer below!