Passing your driving test is a life changing experience. You have qualified as a driver, and you have a new sense of freedom. However, passing your driving tests comes with a new set of responsibilities that you did not have as a learner driver. Now, you will find yourself in command of a potentially deadly weapon, and the chances are you are going to make mistakes on your own, without someone watching over you all the time, as your driving instructor used to do. Taking the time, when you are a newly qualified driver to acclimatise yourself to life on the road on your own, could save problems later. There is often a sense of euphoria which follows a successful driving test that does not seem to dissipate very quickly. In addition, there is also the temptation to get together with your friends and take to the road with a new found confidence, and sometimes that confidence can progress to overconfidence. Try not to forget that passing your driving test makes you a qualified driver; it does not make you a good driver. That takes time and experience, and the earlier you get into good habits the sooner you will become a good driver.

Following your test you need to take time to continue practising. Getting to know your car, and how it feels, is important. You need to be aware of your car, and what it is like to park and reverse, and you need good awareness of the engine sound and what it sounds like when you are going too fast, or in the wrong gear. Give yourself time, and drive at a speed that allows you to look ahead to allow for potential problems. Try not to make assumptions about what other people will do. You need to be able to react to how they are driving, and not what you expect them to do. Be aware of everything that is happening in front of you, and behind also. Continue to try and improve your ability to be aware what is happening around you. That does not mean to say however, that you become distracted. As many as twenty per cent of new drivers have an accident in their first year of driving. Between 6pm and midnight is the worst time for accidents, and is especially a bad time for new drivers, as this is likely to be around the time they are out with friends and tempted to go that little bit faster than they should, or perhaps the passenger themselves are distraction. You need to remember that you are responsible for your passenger`s safety.

Take care when driving in town. The chances are that although traffic will be moving slower, there are more obstacles and distractions to be aware of. Alternatively, you need to be aware of a new set of potential problems when driving in the country; winding roads; poor lighting; perhaps even animals leaping out in front of you. Concentration and awareness is the key. You also need to be driving at a speed which is slow enough to allow you to control your vehicle. Motorway driving can be exhilarating, and frightening at first. Again, drive at a speed you feel in control of the car, and being aware of what is ahead are your two best assets. Keep in mind that what happens at speed necessarily means quicker reactions.

Passing your driving test can be extremely exciting, but it can be dangerous with the wrong attitude. For further car information go to Car insurance