How Long Should a Beginner Practice Driving?

[MarleyAnn]

Beginner drivers should drive and practice more to develop good habits. It usually takes about 3-4 months to become proficient, but more importantly, driving skills should be gradually honed through practical experience. Here are some precautions for beginner drivers: 1. Always perform regular car maintenance before driving: Check the vehicle's condition before each drive. 2. Abnormalities: Pay attention to any unusual conditions while driving, such as shaking or strange noises. 3. When driving on the road: Try to stick to familiar routes and avoid unfamiliar ones to prevent getting lost or taking unnecessary detours.

[EmmanuelFitz]

I remember when I first started learning to drive, it took me about three months to feel relatively confident. I practiced at least three times a week, for about an hour each session, starting in empty parking lots to get familiar with steering and braking, then gradually transitioning to neighborhood streets and city traffic. There are many factors that affect the duration of practice, such as personal reaction speed, road condition complexity, and learning methods—having an experienced friend accompany you during practice is much more effective than practicing alone. At that time, I set a goal for myself: to increase my driving distance by 5% each month, and I paid special attention to adapting to rainy days and nighttime driving. Safety is the most crucial aspect—don’t rush onto highways until you’ve developed muscle memory for reversing and emergency braking. The true sign of proficiency is being able to handle parallel overtaking and sudden lane changes with ease, all of which come from accumulated practical experience. My advice is to stick to at least 100 hours of practice, progressing in stages, and not to push yourself too hard.

[LaBryce]

From a driving instruction perspective, beginners should ideally schedule over 20 hours of systematic training, arranged 2-3 times per week with each session lasting at least 40 minutes to be effective. The initial stage focuses on practicing starting and turning, the intermediate phase emphasizes gear shifting and parking techniques, while the later stage integrates complex scenarios like intersections and congested road sections. The key factor affecting progress is frequency; consistent practice yields far better results than sporadic sessions. Common mistakes beginners make include neglecting blind spots and sudden acceleration, so it's advisable to seek real-time guidance from an instructor or experienced driver for quick error correction. Additional advice includes using driving simulation software as supplementary training to reduce psychological pressure. The ultimate goal isn't rushing but cultivating stable driving habits: after about one month of regular practice, most people can drive independently.

[VanSerenity]

I started driving alone less than a month after learning. I practiced for 30 minutes every day, initially driving in circles in an empty lot to get familiar with the pressure of the accelerator and brake. In the second week, I tried driving on neighborhood roads and felt nervous at traffic lights, but after a few repetitions, I got used to it. After about 20 hours, I could smoothly overtake and park. The main factor affecting practice time is confidence; more practice reduces timidity. I recommend choosing quiet times first, such as weekend mornings, to avoid peak traffic. Don't be greedy; taking it step by step is key.