Provisional Drivers, Avoid Getting Intimidated

Intimidation towards provisional drivers is a problem often found on UK roads. Road users who find themselves driving behind a learner driver must realise that a little more patience is needed and things like slow speeds, sudden braking and unexpected stalling are likely to occur.

However, instead of having patience, some road users become frustrated as soon as they spot an L plate. This is part of the reason why negative stigmas about provisional drivers’ are a huge contributor towards why learners commonly experience intimidation from other road users. Tailgating, beeping, aggressive overtaking and road rage are just some of the behaviours that drivers can have towards provisional drivers.

One of the key problems is that, you will rarely find provisional drivers exceeding the speed limit. This is because it’s important that learner drivers don’t get into the habit of speeding in preparation for and after their driving test.

Although, it’s easier said than done, drivers who find themselves driving behind a learner driver should be considerate that the learner driver is still learning and to be patient.

When I was on a driving lesson once, my driving instructor actually asked me to stop the car whilst he got out and raged at the driver behind me. The driver had been tailgating for a little longer than his patience could clearly handle! This scenario is not only awkward for the learner driver but it is also unsafe. So how should intimidation from other drivers be handled?

How to avoid getting intimidated by other drivers as a provisional driver:

1. Remember not to take it personally; you probably aren’t experiencing intimidation for your driving ability. It is likely to just be the fact that you are driving a car with L-Plates.
2. Don’t react to it, stay calm and don’t let it affect your driving ability.
3. Getting the time to get out on the road to practice or have a driving lesson can be quite a rarity so don’t let intimidation from other drivers shorten or ruin your driving practice.
4. If you do find yourself becoming upset or wound up by other drivers, make sure you take a breather and calm down. Driving whilst being concerned about something else can do more harm than good, when you’re learning to drive and after.
5. Don’t feel pressured to speed up or drive differently to how you’ve been taught. You have a right to be on the road just as much as other road users with a full licence.

Have you ever had a situation where you have felt intimidated from another driver, let us know!