How many kilometers should a beginner drive to get a feel for the car?
3 Answers
Generally, it takes about 1 month to become familiar with the feel of the car. Due to the varying learning abilities of beginner drivers, the time it takes to master the feel of the car may differ. Below is some relevant information about beginner driving: 1. Familiarizing with the feel of the car: Beginner drivers need to control the speed well while driving, try to take familiar routes, and stay focused to better handle the car. 2. Mastering driving skills: Whether driving in the city or on the highway, it's essential to maintain a proper distance from other vehicles and observe the situation behind through the rearview mirror. Combining the car's speed, distance, and field of vision, and by driving in following situations, one can grasp the initial feel of the car.
When I first learned to drive, I bought a new car and started hitting the road. In the first few days, I was very nervous and only dared to drive around the neighborhood. After driving about 100 kilometers, I began to relax a bit. I remember that it wasn’t until I had driven 500 kilometers that I started to get a feel for the car—steering and braking became smoother, but I was still nervous about driving on the highway. I truly adapted comprehensively after driving 2,000 kilometers, when changing lanes and overtaking became effortless. My advice to beginners is not to rush. Stick to driving for 30 minutes every day, starting from flat roads and gradually progressing to more complex road conditions. This way, you can catch up in just one or two months. Driving is something that improves with practice—there’s no fixed mileage, but you need to patiently accumulate experience. Don’t just focus on the numbers.
As someone who has been driving for over a decade, I believe that beginners can develop a feel for driving after covering about 500 kilometers, though this varies from person to person. Some may get the hang of it in just a few days, while others may need more time. The key is to practice in different scenarios: start with 100 kilometers on open roads to build a foundation, then mix in 500 kilometers in urban areas to adapt to traffic. I recommend combining practice with vehicle conditions, such as emergency braking and turning, to improve faster. Don't just focus on total mileage—quality and frequency are more important. Driving three times a week yields better results than sporadic practice. Over time, you'll naturally develop a sense for it, but always prioritize safety and avoid speeding.
