Young drivers · Published
Learning to drive brings a lot of new decisions. These six habits give teenagers and their supervisors practical things to work on together. Regular supervised practice and Coastwide driving lessons for teenagers can help turn those habits into everyday driving skills.
Six habits to practise on every drive
01
Look beyond the car ahead
Keep scanning the road and its surroundings. Notice what could become a hazard, then respond early enough to leave yourself options.
02
Leave room to respond
Match your speed to the conditions and leave a safe following gap. Allow more space when rain, poor visibility or loose surfaces make driving harder.
03
Put the phone away
Set your phone to Do Not Disturb before the trip. Queensland learner and P1 drivers under 25 cannot use a phone while driving, including hands-free calls.
04
Start rested
Choose a practice time when you are alert. Tiredness can affect short drives too; stop somewhere safe and rest if you become sleepy.
05
Keep distractions down
Sort out music before setting off and keep the cabin calm. Your attention belongs on driving, so stop safely before dealing with a distraction.
06
Prepare, then practise
Check the car with your supervisor, adjust the seat and mirrors, and plan your route. Build experience gradually across different roads and conditions.
Make the practice specific
Pick one habit to discuss before a drive, then talk about it afterwards when you are parked. For example, where did you spot a developing hazard, and what gave you time to respond? Our guide to safe following distance offers another useful starting point.
Queensland guidance behind this summary
This visual summary was reviewed on . It replaces the older overseas infographic shared in the original post, which was credited to Learner Driver Today.