15 Common Mistakes New Drivers Make

Passing your driving test is an exciting milestone, but your first year of driving comes with new challenges. From speeding and tailgating to forgetting basic car maintenance, there are several common mistakes new drivers make as they gain experience on the road.

Understanding these mistakes can help you develop safer driving habits, build confidence and avoid unnecessary risks. In this guide, we explore 15 common mistakes made by newly qualified drivers, explain the rules under the New Drivers Act and share practical tips to help you navigate your first year behind the wheel.

What are the most common mistakes new drivers make?

Common mistakes include driving too fast, following other vehicles too closely, failing to check blind spots, becoming distracted, hesitating at junctions and neglecting basic vehicle maintenance. Building experience gradually and practising safe driving habits can help newly qualified drivers avoid these mistakes.

New Driver Rules: 6 Points Could Cost You Your Licence

Passing your driving test is a major milestone, but newly qualified drivers face stricter rules during their first two years on the road.

Under the New Drivers Act, if you accumulate six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test, your driving licence will be automatically revoked. This means you’ll lose your full driving entitlement and need to go through the process of qualifying again.

What happens if a new driver gets six penalty points?

If your licence is revoked under the New Drivers Act, you’ll need to:

1. Apply for a new provisional driving licence before you can start driving again.

2. Follow learner driver rules, including being properly supervised and displaying L plates when practising.

3. Pass both your theory and practical driving tests again to regain your full driving licence.

It’s important to remember that the New Drivers Act applies for the first two years, not just your first year of driving. Penalty points received before passing your test can also count towards the six-point limit.

How can new drivers avoid penalty points?

Developing safe driving habits from the beginning can help you avoid offences that could put your licence at risk. Always follow speed limits, don’t use your phone while driving, pay attention to road signs and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

For more information, read the official GOV.UK guidance on penalty points for new drivers.

Understanding the rules of the road is essential for every newly qualified driver. For more advice on staying safe and avoiding penalties, explore our UK driving laws and road safety tips.

1. Getting distracted

Checking phones. Adjusting music. Talking to passengers. Even letting your mind wander to other things on the road. Losing focus for even a second can be detrimental to your safety when driving. New drivers need to be extra-cautious even at traffic lights. Be sure to give the road your full attention.

2. Driving too fast or too slowly

Speeding is a common mistake that can be made at any stage of your driving journey. Sometimes speed limits are the maximum permitted speed, but not necessarily the safest speed. Rain, poor visibility and busy roads may require you to drive significantly slower. Relying heavily on speed signs can trip you up. Likewise, driving too slowly may sound like it is a safe option. However, if you are on the motorway or a road with a higher speed limit, driving too slow can actually be unsafe.

3. Tailgating

Tailgating is when you follow the driver in front of you too closely. It can be very dangerous because if the driver in front of you brakes suddenly, it can leave you with not enough time to react safely.

Even at lower speeds, a lack of stopping distance can increase the risk of a rear-end collision, which can lead to repair costs, insurance claims and potentially higher premiums. It can also put pressure on the driver in front, creating an unsafe driving environment for everyone on the road.

To reduce the risk, leave at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead in normal conditions. In wet weather, double this to four seconds, and allow even more space in poor visibility or on faster roads. Keeping a safe following distance gives you more time to spot hazards and react calmly.

4. Forgetting to check mirrors and blind spots

“Check your mirrors, check your blind spots.” Your driving instructor will have said this to you multiple times, and for good reason. It is a key safety habit that prevents you from missing hazards, in particular bikes and pedestrians.

You should always check both. Mirrors don’t show everything. Failing to check blind spots when changing lanes, overtaking or joining traffic can increase the risk of a collision.

5. Failing to indicate correctly

Indicators are not optional. They are a crucial tool for communicating to other drivers where you intend to go – whether that is changing lanes, about to park, pull out, or turning into a side street. Make sure you are using them correctly, in good time, and to signal other road users.

6. Hesitating at junctions and roundabouts

Although it is important to be certain about decisions you’re making on the road, too much hesitation can cause disturbances to traffic and confuse other road users. Particularly on roundabouts, if it is unclear whether you intend to stay or go, there is an increased chance of being driven into. New drivers in particular, who are not confident in their decisions, can be more likely to hesitate.

One useful tip is to continue driving with an experienced driver or instructor who can advise you.

7. Driving in various weather conditions

If you learnt to drive during the summer, you will have become used to warmer, safer driving conditions. As the weather gets cooler, wetter or even icier, your grip, visibility, braking and general standards of maintenance can be reduced.

Newer drivers should practice driving in different weather conditions, making sure to avoid driving too fast and braking or accelerating suddenly. To avoid wheel-spinning and to maintain control of the vehicle, use higher gears.

8. Misjudging fuel levels

Many new drivers push their fuel tank further than they should. Running low on fuel can create unnecessary stress and, in some situations, leave you stranded.

9. Overconfidence when passing other vehicles

Now that you’re behind the wheel without an instructor and L plates, you’re bound to feel more confident. However, this can lead to overconfidence. You might start to take more risks, such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt on shorter journeys, chatting to other passengers or to people on the phone using a hands-free holder.

While building confidence is important, you need to maintain safety habits in order to become a safe and experienced driver.

10. Neglecting basic car maintenance

Many first-year drivers overlook basic vehicle maintenance, often assuming that warning lights or minor issues can wait until their next service. Simple checks can help keep your car running safely and may prevent small problems from turning into costly repairs. Get into the habit of checking your tyre pressure and tread depth, topping up windscreen washer fluid, monitoring oil and coolant levels, and paying attention to any dashboard warning lights. If you’re not confident on where to begin, start with the basics: oil levels, coolant, windscreen washer fluid and warning lights.

For more practical tips on keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy, explore our car maintenance advice and guides.

11. Not getting enough practice at night

Many newly qualified drivers have limited experience driving after dark. Night driving presents different challenges, including reduced visibility, glare from headlights and increased fatigue.

To build confidence, start by practising on familiar, well-lit roads before gradually progressing to more challenging routes. Make sure your headlights are working correctly, reduce your speed when visibility is poor and leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles.

If you have a telematics or black box insurance policy, it’s also worth understanding whether your policy includes any restrictions or conditions relating to driving at night.

For more information, read our guide to GOV.UK guidance on penalty points for new drivers.

12. Making sure you have the right car insurance cover

As a new driver, it’s important to make sure your car insurance covers your needs. Check that your policy includes the right details such as personal details, level of cover, occupation, usage etc. Understanding what your insurance policy covers can help you avoid any unexpected surprises if you need to make a claim.

13. Rushing into motorway driving

For many new drivers, their first motorway journey can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve had little or no motorway experience since passing your test. A common mistake is joining the motorway too quickly without taking time to assess traffic around you. Some new drivers focus so much on reaching motorway speed that they forget to build confidence gradually.

Remember that the slip road is there to help you safely match the speed of motorway traffic before merging. Take the time to observe the flow of vehicles, check your mirrors and signal clearly. If you’re nervous, consider taking shorter motorway journeys during quieter periods to build confidence.

14. Panic braking instead of planning ahead

Inexperienced drivers sometimes focus only on the vehicle directly ahead rather than scanning further down the road. Looking ahead helps you anticipate hazards and make smoother decisions.

15. Not asking for driving advice

Even experienced drivers continue learning. Whether it’s asking about motorway driving, vehicle maintenance or parking techniques, seeking advice can improve your confidence and skills.