Since you’re reading this, you probably know that having a driver’s license doesn’t automatically make you a good driver.
That’s because passing your driving exam is just one step.
After those short months of learning how to drive, you have your whole life to get better… or worse.
So how do some people continuously get better at driving, while others get worse?
You’re about to find out.
Are You Really A Bad Driver?
One mistake doesn’t make you a bad driver. So what does?
Check out this post to find out if you’re actually bad at driving or if you just had a few bad moments.
If you’re already convinced that you’re bad at driving, below are 10 points to help you figure out why, plus tips to help you improve.
Why am I a bad driver?
1. You panic easily
Every driver knows how busy the road can get.
Whether it’s rush hour or late at night, there’s a lot happening around you and a lot to be aware of.
But regardless of how busy it may seem, panicking is never the right response.
Panicking causes you to take sudden actions without thinking – and this only means trouble.
For example, you might hit the gas instead of brakes, or stop suddenly, causing the car behind you to crash into you.
Pay Attention
Pay attention to the road and what’s happening around you. This way, you can notice changes in advance and have enough time to think and react appropriately.
Relax
Relax in whatever way works best for you. This can be with music, prayer, affirmations, scents, or just keeping the windows rolled down. Whatever you choose, just be sure you don't approach driving tense and afraid. You've done this before, and you can do it again!
2. You aren’t comfortable when driving
Another reason you may be a bad driver is that you aren’t comfortable in your car.
You’re constantly readjusting and trying to get comfortable, instead of paying attention to what’s happening around you.
Discomfort can come from things like:
- an improperly adjusted seat
- a steering wheel that’s too high or too low
- difficulty reaching the pedals
- an unpleasant smell
- the temperature being too hot or too cold
All of these make it hard to focus on the road.
Get Comfy
This means playing around with the seat, steering wheel, and pedals until they're in the perfect position for you. It might take some time to get things just right, but once you do, you'll be able to focus more on your surroundings and less on being uncomfortable.
Prep before your drive.
Sometimes you'll need to prep your car before your drive. This includes taking out any trash, dusting crumbs from your seat, spraying your favorite air freshener, letting your car cool down/ warm up, or whatever else it takes for you to feel more comfortable. This routine should only take a few minutes and can make a world of difference.
3. You don’t know your car well enough
There’s a weird beeping sound coming from your car or a flashing red light on the dashboard. It’s distracting, but you have no idea what it means.
So instead of pulling over to figure it out, you just ignore it and hope it goes away.
Bad idea.
Not knowing your car well enough is an underrated but important reason why you may be a bad driver — because it leads to distraction, delayed reactions, and missed warning signs.
If you don’t know what that beeping sound means, how can you fix it?
And if you don’t know how to fix it, how can you prevent it from happening again?
Read your car's manual
We know, we know. It's long and boring. But even just skimming through it can give you a better understanding of your car and what all the different sounds and lights mean.
Pay attention to your car
As you're driving, take note of any strange sounds or smells. If something doesn't feel right, pull over and figure out what's going on. The sooner you catch a problem, the easier it is to fix.
Ask For Help
If all else fails, don't be afraid to ask for help! There's no shame in admitting that you don't know everything about your car. Just be sure to find a reputable mechanic who can help you out.
4. You don’t make use of your car’s features
This ties directly to the previous point.
As technology improves, cars come with more useful features to help make driving safer and easier.
But while these features are great, they’re of no help if you aren’t actually using them.
For example, most newer cars have backup cameras and sensors to help you park.
But if you struggle with parking or reversing and don’t use these features, you’re making things harder than they need to be.
Don't be afraid to ask for help
If you're not sure how a certain feature works, search the web, look it up in your car's manual, or ask a friend or family member who may know.
Practice
Once you understand how a feature works, take some time to practice using it so that you're comfortable with it before you really need it.
Keep up with car trends
Cars are always improving and new features are constantly being added. Try to stay up-to-date with the latest car trends and see if there's anything you can add to your own car to make driving easier.
5. You drive too fast or too slow
We all know those drivers who barrel down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic like they’re on a race track.
And then there are those who inch their way along, going way below the speed limit.
Both are bad driving habits that can put you and other drivers in danger.
Driving too fast makes it hard to stop if something unexpected happens, while driving too slowly can make other drivers frustrated and more likely to take risks around you.
While your speed doesn’t justify reckless behavior from others, the reality is that some drivers will take chances — and you don’t want to be caught in the aftermath.
Drive at a comfortable speed
This will vary depending on the road conditions and how well you know the area, but in general, you should be driving at a speed where you can stop safely if something suddenly pops up, but not so fast that you’re putting yourself and others at risk.
Find the cause
If you find yourself constantly going too fast or too slow, take a look at why that might be. Are you driving too fast because you’re running late? Or are you driving too slow because you’re not confident in your skills? Once you figure out the root of the problem, you can start working on fixing it.
6. You lack confidence
One of the biggest reasons you’re a bad driver is a lack of confidence.
Being a good driver isn’t just about knowing what to do; it’s also about feeling confident in your abilities.
If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself or overthinking every move, you’re not going to drive well.
Second-guessing will affect your timing, decisions, and overall control.
Build your confidence
This may take some time, but the more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel. Start by driving in familiar areas and gradually work your way up to busier roads and highways. If you can, find a licensed friend or family member who can give you some tips and help you build your confidence.
Be prepared
One of the best ways to feel confident is to be prepared for anything that might happen while you’re driving. Make sure you know the route you’re taking and avoid distractions so that you can focus on the task at hand.
7. You don’t learn from your mistakes
We all make mistakes when we’re driving. But the key is to learn from those mistakes so that you don’t keep repeating them.
If you’re constantly getting into accidents or getting pulled over for speeding, it’s a sign that you’re not learning from your previous mistakes.
This can be dangerous for both you and other drivers on the road.
Admit when you’ve made a mistake
It can be hard to admit when we’ve done something wrong, but it’s important to take responsibility for our actions. If you’ve made a mistake while driving, own up to it and learn from it so that you don’t make the same mistake in the future.
Be patient
For some people, one of the hardest things to do when driving is to be patient. If you're one of those people, it's important to remember that not everyone drives the same way you do. Try to be patient with other drivers and give them the space they need to make their own mistakes.
8. You don’t try to improve/ ask for help
If you’re constantly making mistakes or getting into accidents, it’s important to try to improve your driving skills.
But many people don’t do this because they’re either too proud or they don’t think they need help.
Asking for help can be hard, but it’s important to remember that we all have to start somewhere.
There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you need help if it’ll help you become a better driver.
Take driving lessons
If you’re having trouble with your driving, one of the best things you can do is sign up for more driving lessons. This will give you the chance to work on your skills in a safe and controlled environment.
9. You don’t drive often enough
Another major reason you’re a bad driver is that you don’t drive often enough.
Just like any other skill, driving takes practice.
The more you do it, the better you’ll become at it.
However, if you only get behind the wheel a few times a year, then you’re not going to have many opportunities to improve your skills.
Look for opportunities to drive more often
If you can, try to find more ways to incorporate driving into your daily routine. For example, if you usually take the bus to work, see if there’s a way you can start carpooling or driving part of the way instead.
Be creative
You can also think of more creative ways to get yourself on the road, like taking a road trip or planning a cute car date with your S/O or friends.
10. You don’t listen to other drivers
As much as we hate to hear it, other drivers give us lots of feedback on our driving, whether through their words, facial expressions, or honks.
And whether we like it or not, other drivers can actually be a great resource when it comes to improving our own driving skills.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t listen to other drivers because we either think we know everything already or we’re worried about what they might think of us.
But if you’re not open to feedback, you’re not going to improve as a driver.
Listen to what other drivers are saying
When another driver honks at you or gives you a dirty look, try to take a step back and see if there’s any truth to what they’re saying. Of course, they’ll always be those people who are mean and critical for no reason, but oftentimes, other drivers can help us see things that we missed while we were behind the wheel.
What makes a bad driver?
In summary, a bad driver is someone who lacks confidence, doesn’t learn from their mistakes, and doesn’t make any effort to improve their driving skills.
A bad driver knows that they aren’t the best at driving, and they’re satisfied with staying that way.
Since you’re reading this post, it means you are not satisfied, and you’re ready to make a positive change.
Kudos to you!
By using the tips in this post, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a better driver in no time!
Was this post helpful?
Girls Who Drive — Community Verified
