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Keep these dos and don’ts in mind before you learn how to drive a car

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Published on August 17, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes



If you are someone who wants everyday commuting to be a breeze or you want to hit the road for a getaway whenever the mood strikes, having a car and knowing how to drive it is important. The public transport system in India cannot give you complete flexibility or freedom in mobility that you yearn for. So, once you get a learner’s license from the local RTO, start practising driving every day, and make safety your priority. And of course, you need to get a comprehensive insurance policy to stay prepared for any eventuality. Here are some dos and don’ts that you need to follow if you are new to driving.

Things that learner drivers should avoid:

As a student driver, it is very important to know about the don’ts even before you pick up the keys of your new vehicle. Here are a few of them.

1. Never let stress take over:

    Stress can come from many sources. Experienced drivers in your family or friend circle might try to share ‘helpful’ tips while you are out learning. You will also find plenty of rude drivers on the road who will honk a lot. All of this can induce stress, but a big part of learning how to drive is to not care about what others are thinking or saying.

2. Never use your mobile phone while driving:

    Mobile phones are a big distraction and using them while driving can also invite challan if the traffic police catches you. Do not use your mobile phone while you are learning to drive as the distraction can even lead to an accident. The best approach is to turn off your phone while driving and if you want to make a call, first find a safe place to stop and then do it.

3. Never drink alcohol and drive:

    Driving and alcohol do not mix well. And India is a country where a majority of accidents happen due to drunk driving. So, remember that it is a crime, and there is no comprehensive insurance that can help you if you get into an accident and are found to be drunk while driving.

4. No tailgating any vehicle in front of you:

   Tailgating is the process of driving too close to the vehicle in front of you. The process can lead to many accidents because it simply does not leave you with a lot of reaction time. When driving, the conventional wisdom is to maintain at least two car lengths of distance from the vehicle in front of you as it will allow you enough time to veer off, if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly.

Things that learner drivers should always do:

Now that you have learnt what not to do as a learner driver, let us come to things that you must do.

1. Make sure that your L sign is prominently visible: 

   Any vehicle in which a person is trying to learn how to drive must have a big letter L sign in red and it should be displayed prominently. This is necessary to alert other drivers and pedestrians that your vehicle has a student driver and that they should maintain a safe distance from it. Driving in a non-L marked vehicle will invite challan.

2. Check the car on all sides before you enter it:

   When you are learning to drive, it is also important to know the basics of how a car functions and what safety measures are needed before you drive. It is best to go around your vehicle to check if there are any obstructions around it. Ensure that the tyres have proper air pressure and there is no stray animal below the car.

3. Always wear seat belts while driving:

   Wearing seat belts is mandatory for your own safety. They can literally save lives by turning what could be a fatal accident into a minor injury.

4. Always keep a first aid kit with you:

   A first aid kit is super important to have in your vehicle. In case of an accident, while your comprehensive insurance policy will come to your car’s rescue, a first aid kit will be able to help those who are injured.

Always keep in mind that driving needs your full focus, whether you are a learner or an experienced driver. So, keep the above dos and don’ts in mind for the sake of your vehicle as well as to stay safe and keep others safe.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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