Can I practice driving with my own car?
3 Answers
You cannot practice driving with your own car, so it is best to use a driving school's car for practice. Reasons for using a driving school car: Generally, driving school cars are the same as the test cars, and beginners are not familiar with driving vehicles, which can easily damage the car. Therefore, it is better to use a driving school's car for practice. Consequences of using your own car for practice: Students must use legal training vehicles, hire qualified instructors, and conduct driving skill training on designated training routes. This means that candidates practicing without an instructor in open areas or on public roads are committing serious traffic violations and may even be suspected of driving without a license, which could lead to detention.
Using your own car to practice driving is definitely possible. That's how I started—finding an empty parking lot to practice slowly is very safe. I remember being constantly worried about hitting something at the beginning, so I asked an experienced friend to accompany me. He taught me how to control the brakes and steering to avoid sudden movements that could cause accidents. However, you should be mindful of vehicle wear and tear. For example, my frequent starts and stops wore out the tires quickly, but regular tire pressure checks later helped alleviate the issue. Safety is even more critical—never practice on busy roads, as beginners' slower reaction times can easily lead to accidents. Also, legally, many places require a licensed driver to supervise from the passenger seat; otherwise, it counts as illegal driving and can result in fines. After practice sessions, I always check the brake system and lights, which became a habit that actually helps protect the car. In short, prepare well before practicing, and take it step by step for the best results.
When I first had the idea of learning to drive, I thought it would be convenient and cost-effective to practice with my own car. However, after checking, I found significant legal risks: local regulations require novice drivers to be accompanied by someone with at least three years of driving experience, otherwise it’s considered unlicensed driving, which could result in fines or penalty points. I was also concerned about safety issues, like fumbling during sharp turns or reversing, potentially scraping against poles or hitting walls—repair costs aren’t cheap, not to mention the risk of injuring someone. My advice is to start practicing in a secluded open area and bring a family member as a supervisor to help keep things in check. Before practicing, check the basic condition of the vehicle—are the tire pressure and fuel level okay? You don’t want to break down halfway, which would be even more troublesome. Limit practice sessions to one or two hours at a time; fatigue increases the likelihood of mistakes. This process helped me build confidence, and later, getting my license went super smoothly.
