
Precautions for novice drivers on the road: 1. Be sure to affix the "Intern" sign at the rear of the car, which is usually obtained from the driving school you attended or the local vehicle management office; 2. Check the vehicle before driving, including whether the tire pressure is sufficient and the onboard tools are complete; 3. Frequently observe the rearview mirrors, as they allow you to monitor the road conditions on the left and right rear sides of the vehicle, especially when changing lanes, reversing, or overtaking, where the role of the rearview mirrors is crucial. Novice drivers should initially stick to familiar routes to develop a sense of the road and direction. Some drivers lose most of their sense of direction as soon as they sit in the cockpit, forgetting the pre-planned route and not knowing where to go. In such cases, pay more attention to distant traffic signs and find ways to return to familiar main roads. Remember, it's better to take a detour than to violate traffic rules.

I drove to work by myself the second day after getting my driver's license, and I was extremely nervous. Later, I figured out a few tricks: adjusting the rearview mirrors is the most important—the side mirrors should show a quarter of the car body, and the center mirror should show the entire rear window; be gentle with your feet—press the accelerator and brake in stages; don’t rush to turn when changing lanes—check the rearview mirror three times to confirm a safe distance; use fog lights but not high beams in the rain, and turn on the AC to defrost the windshield if it fogs up; maintain a three-car gap during rush hour traffic, and just yield if someone cuts in. Turn up the volume on your phone’s navigation and check the route in advance for new places to avoid panic. The most important thing is to stay calm—I kept a "new driver" sticker on the back of my car for the first three months, and everyone gave me some space.

When my cousin first got her driver's license, I accompanied her for practice every day and noticed that beginners tend to overlook details. Choose floor mats with fasteners, otherwise they might interfere with the brakes and cause serious accidents. When adjusting the seat, your wrist should be able to stretch straight when placed on top of the steering wheel for better maneuverability in turns. At toll booths, don't get too close to the card dispenser; aligning the left wheel with the speed bump is just right for reaching it. Remember to signal 100 meters before turning, and the rearview mirror heating function is a lifesaver in the rain. Always lock the child safety locks when carrying kids and keep a warning triangle in the trunk. Once during heavy rain, she drove into a flooded area, and I immediately told her to grip the steering wheel firmly and maintain a steady speed to pass through. These practical experiences are far more useful than driving school textbooks.

My daily commute takes me through the Bund Tunnel, and I've compiled a survival guide for beginners: turn on low beams when entering underground garages, use reflective strips on walls as reference points; stay in the middle lane inside the tunnel as airflow from large trucks on both sides can shake your car; avoid using plush steering wheel covers as sweaty hands may slip. When dazzled by high beams at night, focus on the right lane markings, and roll down windows halfway to listen to adjacent vehicles when overtaking. Slow down in advance for elevated curve sections - last week I saw a new car scrape the guardrail due to speeding through curves. Don't blindly trust automatic parking systems, practice parallel parking yourself a few times and you'll master it.


