Well done, you passed! Now that you have a license and got your car insurance you can get out there and start driving on your own.

This is sometimes a daunting experience as it is the first time that you are driving alone, without a driving instructor in the car to help you. If you’re worried or feel stressed when driving you’re not the only one. A lot of people who’ve recently passed a driving test feel just the same as you. Failed your driving test?

So far you’re used to either getting a lift or catching a bus, but now you’re in complete control and you don’t have to wait for the train! A recent report showed that over 60% of young drivers feel nervous and not very confident when driving. Don’t worry, the more you drive the more confident you will get!

Here are some tips to help you become less nervous and more confident when driving.

Don’t have your friends with you in the car at first

Your friends can be a big distraction when driving and could be a bad influence, making you drive faster or perhaps take more risks.

Before you let them in the car you should spend some time driving on your own and get used to driving.  If they really are your friends then they’ll understand.

Ignore bad drivers

If someone else cuts you up or is driving badly around you, try to ignore them. It’s best to either slow down or stop and let them get ahead as road rage will only ruin your day. Good drivers stay calm and keep themselves away from dangerous drivers.

Put your phone away

Whatever you do, don’t use your phone while driving. It’s one of the major causes of accidents and tests have shown that using a phone when driving is a huge distraction. Using a phone can actually be just as dangerous as drink driving.

Put new driver plates on your car

You can get special green ‘P’ plates that show other drivers that you’ve just passed. Hopefully this will make other drivers leave more space for you and not drive too closely, although this isn’t always the case in the real world!

Get more experience

There are many post test driving courses that you can take to improve your skills. Some of these courses, such as Pass Plus, can get you a discount on your car insurance. Many new drivers find the motorway very difficult – Pass Plus is a good way to get used to motorway driving with the help of an instructor.

Turn the music down

Loud music can be very distracting. It also means that you won’t be able to hear the car engine. Being able to hear the engine makes it easier to know when to change gear as well as hearing any knocks or noises that could indication there’s a problem.

Get in lots of practice

As you drive more, things will get easier. For the things you find most difficult, find a quiet car park or side street and practice them. Many drivers, not just new ones, find parallel parking a pain but with practice it will soon become second nature.