The official guide to getting back on the road

 

Many people across the nation have chosen to stop using their cars and stay at home for the greater good of the country and the emergency services alike, and we commend you for your efforts to halt Coronavirus.

While this was a great sacrifice, it may have left you feeling a little rusty behind the wheel.

Whether you have just passed your driving test or are a veteran motorist, you may want to brush up on your skills to keep yourself and others safe, and leave you feeling confident to hit the road in style, again.

This may not be easy for some of us, especially if you had just passed your driving test before lockdown – so we have put together an essential guide to getting back to normal after Coronavirus – a driving edition:

 

Back to basics

The first step any driver should take after a long break is to re-acquaint themselves with the Highway Code; if you are unable to remember what certain signs mean, or speeds on certain roads, we would recommend that you go back over materials associated with the driving Theory Test.

This step may seem like an unnecessary waste of time to some, but may be invaluable to others when they jump back behind the wheel of their car – much of driving is about confidence, so help yourself by confidently re-learning all of the essential signs, speeds and everything in between.

Test your knowledge using a practice theory test here.

 

Indicators, wipers and everything in between

We can imagine that most of you know the controls of your car like the back of your hand – from the perfect volume for your car and the best gear to drive in.

But sometimes a break away from driving can make you forget some of the essentials.

We recommend spending a few minutes to help your memory – make sure you know where to turn your lights on, how to work your windscreen wipers (hopefully you won’t need them this summer), and know the difference between your indicators and flashing your headlights.

It is important that you aren’t panicked because you can’t work out what those symbols on your dashboard or driving paddles mean. It may seem like a very simple message, but it can be a potential difference-maker, so spend a minute or two maximum to help you remember.

Check out our guide to dashboard warning lights, here.

Also maybe practice your clutch-control.

 

Refresher course

If you start making your way through the Highway Code textbook or online test and realise that you may not be ready to solo drive – do not worry. Take everything at your own pace. There are a range of refresher courses available with DVSA-approved instructors nationwide who offer a chance to hit the road under their watchful guidance.

You may have thought your driving lessons were behind you, but there is no shame in ringing up your old driving instructor and explaining your situation, it’s more common than you think.

Keep in mind though, we continue to face a ‘new normal’, even after lockdown, so make sure this type of contact is allowed under the Covid19 guidelines. Alternatively, you can start with going for a ride with a more experienced driver in your household.

 

Practice makes perfect

Once you have re-affirmed your knowledge, you may be eager to jump back into your car and head out on journeys – but take it slow. It may take a short period for you to get back to your former abilities, so try and practice driving again at quieter times, or even in a local car park, if that is what you feel most comfortable with.

There is no point stretching your comfort levels to their extremes right away. The roads will be very busy once business gets back to usual, with potentially more cars and cyclists than normal out and about, so try and ease yourself back into the routine of driving.

 

Avoid distractions

Once you have got your eye back in and clutch-control sorted, you will now be ready to re-join the roads.

Try not to overload yourself straight away – if you do not feel comfortable with other members of your family or pets in the car, then leave them at home – while you may feel confident once again behind the wheel of your car, it is best to avoid any unnecessary distractions to keep both yourself and other safe while driving.

The same can be said for loud music in your car – while you may want to listen to the new Drake album, leave it at home for now.

We don’t mean wait a month before you start driving your prized pooch around, or listening to your favorite anthems, but just make sure you’re ready and feel back-to-normal in your own car. Only you will know when this happens!

 

P-P-P-P-Plates

If you do feel a little out of sorts whilst behind the wheel, you can always go into the garage and dust off those p-plates you used shortly after you passed your driving test.

These will make other road users more aware and considerate with you on the roads – well that’s what we hope anyway.

Don’t be embarrassed about adorning these plates on your boot and bonnet – we want you to feel safe and secure behind the wheel, and if this step may help, then we would definitely recommend considering it.

 

Keep an eye on your car

If your car has been sat out in the sun whilst you have been stuck indoors, and has barely moved – the car, not you, then you may want to look out for a few things.

Older vehicles in particular will often refuse to start up if they have been sat for long periods of time, so test your car is up and running before you really need to use it – there’s nothing worse, probably.

Check your fuel and engine oil too – basic maintenance checks are mandatory, especially when you haven’t been able to give your car the TLC it deserves.

Go round the vehicle and check all four tyres – if your car is left for long periods, it may have lead to your tyres feeling a little deflated. So start looking and grab a pump if needed.

For more maintenance tips, check out our step-by-step guide.

 

Mirror, Maneuver, Signal?

No – Mirror, Signal, Maneuver. Come on, you can remember it.

Coming out of hibernation means you need to be extra careful and remember all the rules of the road – and all of the acronyms you learned in your driving lessons.

Firstly, keeping your speed to the limits is essential at the moment – your driving abilities and reaction times may have dipped since you’ve not been driving, so remove the risk and drive at the right speed for the road.

Secondly, check your mirrors like a man/woman possessed. Make sure you are highly observant of the road ahead and what’s behind, beside and near to you.

Actually – double check your mirrors for good measure.

Keep in mind that many have taken to their bikes during the lockdown so you’re likely to share the road with more cyclists than normal. For more tips about driving with cyclists, check out our article.

Driving safe at the moment is very important to ease the pressures on the emergency services – police don’t want to pull you over, but they will if they have to. So make sure you don’t give them a reason.

 

Whatever your reason for taking a break from driving – whether it be a worldwide pandemic or lack of confidence behind the wheel, take back control and hit the road with some new-found confidence.

Everyone is going to be a little rusty – maybe even your car, but be safe in the confidence that you have the ability to drive (otherwise you wouldn’t have passed your driving test). We may all need to go back over signs, speeds and clutch-control, but take your time and avoid jumping straight back behind the wheel if you feel uncomfortable doing so.

Follow this guidance and you should be back on the road in no time.

Other than that, make sure you keep up social distancing, wash your hands and avoid meeting up in large groups in line with Government advice.  These measures may stay in place so our best advice is… remain patient.