Night time and wet weather driving tips for beginners
Driving at night or when it's raining can be unpredictable. That's why it's important to be even more cautious than you would when it's sunny. You can do this by:
- making sure your lights are on (and working) – and make sure they're appropriate for the conditions.
- driving slower, especially when tackling corners.
- leaving more room between you and the car in front of you, in case you have to brake suddenly.
Long distance driving tips
Road trips can be fun! But if you haven't driven long distances before, here are a few safety tips.
Before your trip:
- Check your water, oil, and tyre pressure (hopefully your supervising driver can show you how to do this!).
- Make sure you have a spare tyre.
- Consider packing extra fuel and drinking water, especially if you'll be driving through the Australian countryside where there may be long distances between petrol stations.
- Plan your journey including rest stops and timing.
When you're on the road:
- Take a break and switch drivers every two hours, at least. Switch earlier if you get tired before that.
- Be flexible about your timing in case you're running behind. It's better to take a little longer to reach your destination and get there safely.