Is Driving at 40 km/h Suitable for Beginners?
3 Answers
Driving at 40 km/h is acceptable for beginners. Here is some relevant information about driving as a beginner: Skills and Mindset: Skills can be improved through practice—find a less crowded area to practice more. The mindset needs to shift from the conditions of Subject 3 (road test) to actual road driving. Driving during Subject 3 and driving after obtaining the license are two different scenarios. During Subject 3 practice, you drive a training car; other vehicles will actively give way when they see a training car, and fellow trainees will maintain a safe distance. Displaying the Novice Sticker: After obtaining the license and driving a private car, other drivers may not be as courteous. At this point, it is necessary to display a novice sticker on the appropriate part of the car to let others know you are a beginner, which enhances safety.
I've been driving a taxi for ten years, and whether a beginner should drive at 40 km/h depends on the situation. Driving at 40 km/h during the day on urban roads is completely fine, but on elevated roads, it's safer to increase to 50-60 km/h. The key is to observe the traffic conditions. During peak hours in the morning and evening, everyone drives slower, so 40 km/h actually allows more reaction time. However, on rainy days, you must reduce your speed to below 30 km/h. Just last week, I saw a beginner skid while taking a curve at 40 km/h in the rain. Remember to glance at the rearview mirror to confirm a safe distance when changing lanes, and don’t grip the steering wheel too tightly, as it can easily cause the car to veer off course.
As a driving instructor who has taught thousands of students, I'll be honest: driving at 40 km/h is reasonable for beginners. But the key isn't the speedometer—it's developing a feel for the car. Driving 40 km/h on narrow residential roads feels fast, while the same speed on open provincial highways feels like crawling. I recommend using mobile navigation to monitor real-time speed initially. After driving 500 km, your body will naturally develop speed awareness. Slow down to 30 km/h about 100 meters before turns to avoid panic. And never copy experienced drivers' bad habit of steering with one hand.
