Nervous Driver - best type of car?

wallofbeans

Hello,

I've not driven in a good few years and was always a little nervous. I'd like to get back to into it and improve. Does anyone have advice for the type of car that will help me do that?

An automatic is going to make my life easier and I'm thinking something small so I'm less likely to bump into things. A smart car would be the extreme but are their other city car types that would suit?

And does getting a little car actually help?

Thanks all!

walwyn1978

Is it worth doing a couple of 'getting back into it' lessons with a local instructor, seeing what they drive and if you feel comfortable driving that get one of those?

Could both boost your confidence and be a good way of test driving a prospective car.

ilikewatch

I don't have any experience of people trying to "get back into driving" after a break, but my experience of nervous new drivers who buy tiny city cars is that they never build the confidence to drive anything else.

Carrot007

If you feel nervous don't get a small car as you will probably stay that way.

Don't get anythuing massive either they are silly and no one needs them!

Maybe a nice old boxy volvo would do you nicely.

Skibunny40

Whatever car you go for, consider getting reversing sensors fitted. I'm a nervous driver too ( drive an automatic) and the sensors are a God send!

nimbo

I drive a Toyota Yaris. It has a reversing camera as standard. I love it. However also managed with a courtesy car without one. Yay!

I like driving a smaller car. I don't need anything massive although do like having 5 doors.

You'll be fine. I had a long time off of driving before starting my current job. I got back Into the swing of it soon enough.

worried_jim

ilikewatch wrote: »

I don't have any experience of people trying to "get back into driving" after a break, but my experience of nervous new drivers who buy tiny city cars is that they never build the confidence to drive anything else.

All the small cars parked here are dented and scratched to fxck but all the large cars are blemish free, always wondered why this is.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

I'd recommend an auto simply because if you lack confidence, it is one less thing to get into a tizz about. However, it would be better to deal with the confidence issue and you should consider an advanced driving course.

Advanced driving courses aren't really about anything other than driving properly. The main thing is that they teach a system of decision making - so instead of being unsure, you can know what you are trying to achieve. They also teach observation as a major aspect - if you learn to observe properly then things don't suddenly happen to you, and you aren't nervous because you aren't being surprised.

I think most nervous drivers haven't got enough training to understand what is going on around them so they are perpetually surprised.

Fen1

A refresher course is highly recommended. Getting your confidence up will make you a happier driver and, crucially, a safer one.
Have a look at the advanced motorists page for more information: https://www.iamroadsmart.com

d0nkeyk0ng

I would disagree with buying an automatic. I passed my test in 2001 (when I was a student) but didn't buy a car until 2005 when I needed one. So I did 4-5 lessons of "refresher" driving with my old driving instructor, though we did it in the car I'd bought.

trailingspouse

Don't get a small car!! I've been driving for 35 years, I'm confident, I've driven lots of types of vehicle for lots of different reasons. And the type I would least like to spend time in? A small car. You get no respect on the road, you don't have enough oomph to get you out of trouble, and everyone seems to drive far too close to you.

Get a decent sized car, and then drive, drive, drive. Practice is what you need.

And another hint - when you park, get as close to the wall (or whatever you're parking near) as you dare, then get out and have a look at how close you are. If you're still a long way off, get in and move closer. It won't take you long to know how close you can get without bumping.