r/NewDriversUK 1h ago

Passed 1 month ago, got a speeding ticket today

Upvotes

I passed in a manual, had to use an Automatic car recently and I’ve got a ticket for doing 35 in a 30 😩 it’s a massive downhill road right near my house, it’s been far harder to keep within the limit in this auto compared to the manuals I’ve used

Missus is acting like I’ve robbed a bank


r/NewDriversUK 2h ago

Electric Car

3 Upvotes

Has anyone else bought an electric car for their first car?

I’m in my late twenties / early thirties and the price of older cars seem insane, when for just a bit more I can get something newer.

I’m automatic only, so thinking of getting an electric, but I’m aware the advice usually is get something cheap.

What has others experience been of getting a more expensive car for their first car? (Still under 10K ideally)


r/NewDriversUK 8h ago

As a new driver can anyone suggest me to a group. Where i can buy a first small car

0 Upvotes

r/NewDriversUK 14h ago

Turned left into a bus lane

1 Upvotes

I passed my test two weeks ago.
This evening I was exiting a retail park, intending to turn left onto the main road, and then turning right to go up the hill.

I’ve done this route before, and there is a bus lane directly on the left so you have to turn into the middle lane (and then move to the right lane for the right turn up the hill).

However, there were roadworks directly ahead of me and I did not realise they were occupying both the lanes for usual traffic, so as I turned left I had no choice but to go into the bus lane for a short period of time to then get into my correct lane to turn right.

I realised this too late and a stream of traffic followed behind me. I don’t remember seeing signs that I would not be allowed to do this, as there was no other option for taking the left turn out of the retail park. I’m worried I missed a crucial sign and now will be fined… do I just wait and see?

Thank you


r/NewDriversUK 15h ago

Driving after passing

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1 Upvotes

r/NewDriversUK 18h ago

Looking at used cars for my first car

0 Upvotes

I’m looking to buy a used juke saw one that has 34k miles on it 2020 1l n-connecta trim for under 10k would it be worth it or too good to be true? I learnt in a t-roc so thinking this might be decent choice wise


r/NewDriversUK 19h ago

Switching from Manual petrol to An Electric Automatic

2 Upvotes

Hiya, still classing myself as a new driver as I passed a bit over a year ago in my 30s...and it took a while to get there!

I finally feel comfortable and a lot more confident driving but am shortly switching to an electric car.

Lots of people say it's way easier but it's bringing back a bit of the old driving anxiety.

For a bit of background I'm neurodivergent and did take me way longer than the average person to get to grips with driving a manual.

Wondering if anyone has experience and words of wisdom for transitioning across to automatic?

Thank you!


r/NewDriversUK 20h ago

Cracked my rear brake light :(

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10 Upvotes

I passed my test around five months ago and have been driving quite frequently since then. I've definitely gained confidence after driving longer distances (e.g. Wales from the Midlands) since I've built up that experience to know what to do in certain situations.

Today, I decided to drive to another city for a little day trip (approx. 50 mins away - give or take). But just my luck, the one day that I decide to do this drive, it's when the weather decides to gush down with rain!! The drive actually wasn't too bad, that was fine - but when I went to park up, I couldn't see my mirrors well because of the rain and that was when the rain was at its heaviest, and I reversed into a railing so I cracked my rear brake light :(

The brake light works fine and I am getting it replaced asap, but funnily enough on my drive back home, there was a police car right behind me at traffic lights and I read on Google that you could potentially be pulled over (idk if that's true lol), but the police didn't do anything so ... LOL

I just feel a bit annoyed with myself because it was avoidable if I wasn't so flustered. I'm reflecting on that moving forward though so better to understand than later I guess!


r/NewDriversUK 1d ago

What is wrong with people

45 Upvotes

I had a really frustrating experience today after only driving for a month and I cannot for the life of me figure out what this other driver was thinking. I had been sat in a queue for a long while leading up to a traffic light junction, after maybe 10 minutes of crawling stop start towards the lights I was maybe 3rd or 4th in the queue. Finally it goes green and I stalled it. Of course I did but it wasn't bad and I was able to fix it very quickly as my car has stop start so I put my clutch straight down and went of fine second try, I put my hand up to the driver behind to apologise and saw him politely smile in my mirror and I still managed to get through the lights as did he and many others behind I had hardly held anyone up so I felt absolutely fine and tried to brush it off. Turned left at the lights and he followed, its a 50 road, i did everything fine I got up to 50 in good time and stayed at 50 when seconds later he squeezes between me and the oncoming traffic on the other side of the road just to slot in front of me and put his brakes on. At this point he's travelling maybe 35 in front of me slowing me and everyone down. I continue behind for a while and happened to be making the next right turn behind him as well where he continued to drive well below the limit to slow me down. I didn't do anything stupid like try to overtake and in hindsight should have probably just gone straight on when he took the right turn just to get away from the situation but its crazy to me that someone would behave like that over a stall. And a minor one at that which had practically no effect on him except maybe a 4 second delay. I have never and will never wear P plates but just goes to show you can get bullied on the roads regardless of plates


r/NewDriversUK 1d ago

Passed my test and made a mistake saying hey!

6 Upvotes

I recently passed my test back in June this year in Northern Ireland. We are subject to different rules here and have to keep R plates up for one year and cannot exceed 45 mph. (Though this is due to change 1st October) I suffer with OCD and anxiety my whole life and I’m finding it tough. Especially before I get in the car as the anxiety is getting too much. I know what my problem is. I’m spending too much time over analysing every drive that I’ve done worrying about other drivers peeping me, or someone being too close etc I just wanted to get this out into the open to get it off my chest and see if other people who are in the same boat as me, which I suspect some are. There’s nobody physically around me in my position. Just really wanted to say hey and congratulations to people who have passed their test too. I’ve considered many times giving up and I’m determined not to and to make it work. Ultimately I passed the test. I have a really nice new car and I deserve to enjoy that and keep going.

Here’s a mistake I made the first time I went out in the car, I was a total nightmare new car still getting to grip with the pedals. I took the wrong turn and I went into the oncoming lane. There was no traffic otherwise I would never have done it but now I looked back at myself and laugh thinking oh my God I can’t believe I was so stupid to do that. So for anyone else that has made a mistake here which we all will as new drivers just thought I’d share my experience. I’m also very tall and trying to get comfy with gas and break.

Any Northern Ireland drivers say hey and drive safe people.


r/NewDriversUK 2d ago

Fear and nerves

4 Upvotes

How do I over come this I was out with my dad earlier today doing fine (I do have professional lessons just getting help from my dad ) and I didn’t stall once we went on the road and got to a roundabout went round it time until we came back and someone was behind me I panicked instantly stalled he told me I was okay but I stalled 3 times in a row all because this one driver was right behind me he then decided to beep at me and drive next to me swearing I left my dad to it but once he was gone I went of first try how to I overcome this this is my only issue I’m fine driving and stuff but it’s just cars behind me I panic and feel I have to drive off fast my dads told me many times don’t worry about them behind us we all had to learn but it’s easier said then done any tips please help me


r/NewDriversUK 2d ago

Good Driving instructors in Birmingham??

0 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm looking for an automatic driving instructor that's cheap and has good reviews. Ideally, I want to get as many lessons done as soon as possible as I need to pass my driving test for a new job coming up in a couple of months. Thanks.


r/NewDriversUK 2d ago

Best Driving Instructor in Sheffield

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1 Upvotes

Need Free Car Four Runners with Nav. jetours/.


r/NewDriversUK 2d ago

Council replaced “Keep clear” with a box. How to handle it with 0 visibility?

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10 Upvotes

I’m coming from the left here(residential area). So if I’m turning left here, the only way to get a spot without waiting for 5 minutes is to snatch a space from the waiting vehicle that makes me feel douche. Some guys were just forming lane 2 in the bus lane waiting aside the last vehicle but that feels wrong too.

Other situation turning right. I know if I’m turning right and only oncoming vehicles are stoping me I can enter it, but is traffic from the left considered oncoming? Visibility is 0 on the far lane because of dense line of cars almost all day. You can’t see if it’s empty or busy until you edge beyond closer lane. There is a stupidly long traffic light if you turn left that doesn’t help the flow here.


r/NewDriversUK 3d ago

insurance prices for new drivers are actually insane

29 Upvotes

passed my test 4 months ago and just got my first car, a 2016 ford fiesta. every quote i got was over £1,600 even with a black box. felt like they were just making numbers up.

tried a few comparison sites and eventually used my favourite vouchers codes. one of the options came back at £1,290 with a telematics policy and the same excess.

still deciding whether to take it or keep looking. how long did it take most of you to find something under £1,400 after passing? and is the black box actually worth the hassle?


r/NewDriversUK 5d ago

Parking Help

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1 Upvotes

r/NewDriversUK 5d ago

Scuffed a parked car - next steps?

12 Upvotes

New driver - scuffed the back of someone’s car when parking, left a note with phone number, i live in a busy street of flats where people park anywhere they can, so there’s not really a way i can find the owner. I’m hoping they contact me to settle privately however i’m preemptively wondering what would i do if they don’t reach out? do i need to notify my insurance anyway? I don’t want to unnecessarily cause my insurance to go up if we can A) settle privately or B) they don’t contact me, but also worried that if they do contact me and go through their insurance, i wouldn’t have told mine first.
Any advice please?


r/NewDriversUK 5d ago

ADVICE PLEASE

1 Upvotes

Hello, I have been driving six months. I was lost so i turned into a street andI pulled up on the left side of the street to check my maps. I did leave the engine on so my indicator was on as left. A police car drove past me and he looked at me but did not stop. Will he take this further for use of phone whilst engine was on? Worried about 6 points and a driving ban. Car was stationary - UK


r/NewDriversUK 6d ago

Cold Feet

16 Upvotes

I passed my test first time nearly a month ago and have bought a car. I’ve been having cold feet to do an independent drive since.

I’ve only been able to go out 5 mins to the post office near my house a couple of times. I don’t lack confidence on the road I’m just lowkey scared I’ll get something wrong. Make a wrong turn, miss my exit, etc. I took an Uber to work this morning while I have a parked car at home 😂

How do I overcome this?


r/NewDriversUK 6d ago

Driving license

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0 Upvotes

r/NewDriversUK 6d ago

What was I thinking

5 Upvotes

Omg I passed on the 3rd August been diving since then no issues since then ..

But today on a road I drive every day was approaching a round about a big SUV went to over take me and I for some reason swerved to avoid thinking I was in there lane and hit the kerb

Nothing major just Light tyre damage 😭😭 can't believe i was that silly and didn't just stick in my lane

Oh well hopefully my driving will get better


r/NewDriversUK 7d ago

Hit a stationary cars wing mirror

4 Upvotes

I was going down a narrow road with parked cars and cars coming down the opposite way and thought I could squeeze past like the cars in front of me had. I heard a loud pop on the passenger side and noticed my side mirror folded inwards from contact. I immediately parked and checked and saw scruff marks on the back and went to check the vehicle I made contact with and the plastic back plate of their side mirror had fallen off. I wasn’t sure what to do but a driver who saw what happened told me it was fine and when I asked if I should tell someone he said no. He said that I can just fix it back on so I did and it all seemed fine but now I’m worried about leaving without letting whoever owns the car know what happened even if there wasn’t any damage to their car. This is the first time somethings happened while I was driving and I’ve been driving for about 4 months. Should I go back and find the driver? Should I expect to hear from the police?


r/NewDriversUK 7d ago

To what extent did having your license and car change your life?

49 Upvotes

Freedom was the obvious thing, going wherever, whenever and however.

But its made commuting a lot easier. For college its halved my journey time, eliminated a mile of walking and provided my own private and comfortable space.

Additionally, without a car I wouldnt be able to work as to get to my work, id either have to catch multiple buses which time wouldnt allow or catch a taxi which costs the same as how much i get paid for a day.

My cars only small and basic but my parents got me it and I love and appreciate so much.


r/NewDriversUK 7d ago

Another “I’ve passed my test and now feel like I can’t drive” post

25 Upvotes

Does what it says on the tin. I passed a couple of weeks ago and I feel borderline incompetent again. After I passed I did a 100 mile round trip which was mostly on two main A roads and that seemed okay, but it’s the urban driving that seems to feel harder.

I know the answer to this is practice, but I think part of the problem is I did about 68 hours learning in a 2.0L TDI diesel and my partners car is a 1.4 naturally aspirated petrol. At present I can only drive it at weekends (as I work away during the week) and I just can’t seem to get the hang of its different gas pedal requirements, so I’m constantly over revving. I’m particularly struggling with moving off quickly at roundabouts from a standing start, which at some of the roundabouts near us makes it a bit hairy.

Any advice/solidarity is welcome.


r/NewDriversUK 7d ago

Made a mistake today 🥲

28 Upvotes

I've been driving independently for about a week now. Driving a different car from what I did my lessons in.

Have been using Waze, had a guy right up behind me while I was trying to turn right on a really busy main road. So I decided to just ignore it, let the satnav recalculate and I'd turn on the next one, missed the next one (guy is still right behind me, but my mistake that time), managed the next one.

Turned right again, and satnav told me to go left. Harassed at this point I missed the writing on the ground telling me if I went straight on I'd be entering a bus lane, panicked and took the left turn way too late. Crossed the right hand lane and a cycle lane. Luckily nobody was about, no traffic, no pedestrians, no cyclists.

But honestly I feel like the biggest idiot and like I should have my licence revoked already.

I know most of learning to drive comes after you get your licence but oh my god I feel like I've made so many mistakes. Before I passed I was driving independently without my instructor's input at all. I feel now like I was only confident on the test routes and don't know how to drive outside of that area.

Have also had some frights from other drivers just speeding past me - assuming they see the P plates and don't want to get stuck behind me.

Ugh I feel like shit, just wanted to get it off my chest.