As a young driver, there are plenty of new scenarios that are going to make you feel anxious or nervous about getting out there and experiencing them. We understand that because we were new drivers once as well, and driving at night was one of those scenarios that made us feel absolutely terrified. It’s a completely normal feeling.
Everything feels different in the dark, especially when you’re doing it for the first time. The roads don’t look the way they’re supposed to, and it can be harder to make out signs or see where you’re going. Learning to drive at night as a young driver isn’t always easy, but there are things that can make the experience a smoother one for you.
Remember Your Lights or Pay the Price
You need to remember to use your lights, learn more about how they work, and understand when you’re supposed to use them. For example, you don’t use your high beams around other road users – those are just for the very dark country roads that you can’t see down. Your dipped headlights need to be on all night to make you visible and help you see the road ahead.
If you are found driving without your lights on at night, it could spell serious trouble for you. You could find yourself with a fine of up to £2,500 and three points on your license. Additionally, this can be made worse if you haven’t kept your license plate, reflectors, indicators, and lights clean. This is because dirty ones can reduce your visibility to other drivers.
Stay Alert and Stay Familiar
Since it can be quite daunting, it is best if you stick to familiar roads and routes while you’re still getting used to night driving. When you’re more confident, you can venture out further, but it’s a good idea to stay with what you know and let yourself become accustomed to how different the world is when the sun goes down.
You also need to remember to stay alert when you’re driving at night because the roads are more dangerous due to the reduced visibility. You need to look out for the following:
- Pedestrians wearing dark clothes
- Cyclists with no lights
- Other vehicles with no lights
- Distracting lights (especially at Christmas)
Give Yourself Time and Take it Slow
There’s no rush, and you’ll be at least a little bit nervous when you drive at night for the first time. Take things slow and give yourself all the time you need to get to your destination. Leave early so that you don’t feel rushed, and if you need to pull over to take a breath, then do it. There’s nothing worse than causing an accident because you panicked behind the wheel.
Never Drive Tired or Unprepared
Being tired while driving is just as dangerous as having a few drinks before getting behind the wheel, and it can end up getting you or others killed. Always stay home if you feel too tired to drive and let yourself rest when you need it.
When you do drive at night (and you’re awake enough), you should also be prepared with the following just in case something happens:
- Phone (fully charged)
- Phone charger
- First aid kit
- Torch
- Snacks and water
- Tyre changing kit
Get a Pass Plus Course
A Pass Plus Course is there to help you become more confident when driving at night. An instructor will be there with you while you’re behind the wheel to guide you on your nighttime drive and help you learn how to navigate the roads in the dark in a safe and calm manner. The course even helps you tackle difficult roads such as motorways and rural roads.
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With car insurance, new driver policies often leave your bank balance lower than you’d like. At MyFirst, we know how that feels, and it’s why we specialise in affordable and reliable insurance that keeps young drivers safe without leaving you broke. Student car insurance has never been more accessible, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about while night driving.
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