What are the three stages from a novice to an experienced driver?

[MacOscar]

Here is an introduction to the three stages from a novice to an experienced driver: Stage One: Driving cautiously at a snail's pace, never cutting in or changing lanes. Feeling nervous and sweating palms when hearing a horn, extremely tense, afraid of hitting other cars. Stage Two: After a few months, cutting in, changing lanes, road rage, and aggressive driving become the norm—believing all other drivers except oneself are incompetent. Stage Three: After another two years, the mindset gradually calms down. The novelty of driving wears off, and driving like a race car every day feels exhausting. Preferring a slower pace, prioritizing safe driving, avoiding unnecessary overtaking or lane changes, and yielding to aggressive drivers when possible.

[DeLaila]

I recall when I first started learning to drive, the whole process clearly fell into three stages. The first stage was the pure beginner phase—nervous and fumbling, checking the rearview mirror three times before every lane change, and needing multiple attempts to park, terrified of scratches. Back then, even driving in the city was nerve-wracking, especially in rainy weather. The second stage transitioned about half a year later, when I gradually became less fearful and could handle slightly complex road conditions, like traffic jams or nighttime highway driving. Mistakes became much rarer, though I still occasionally misjudged distances. The third stage came after accumulating two or three years of experience—driving became second nature. Now, I can even find my way to unfamiliar places without GPS and teach tips to new drivers. I believe the key is practicing in various scenarios, like long-distance trips or harsh weather, rather than relying solely on what driving school teaches. Real-world experience accelerates growth, and safety should always come first.

[Kieran]

My driving journey unfolded step by step through three quite typical phases. The novice period was like learning to ride a bike—clumsy with starts and stops, always worrying my family about rear-end collisions or getting lost. Around the two-year mark came the proficient phase: steadier nerves, handling rush-hour jams or complex intersections with fewer mistakes, though still consciously planning routes and staying alert. Finally, after five years, I reached the veteran stage—driving became automatic, allowing casual chats while navigating, with attention more dispersed yet more efficient. The secret to safe driving, I’ve found, is patience over speed and learning from mistakes, like honing reversing skills after a parking mishap.

[VanessaAnn]

From my experience, driver development can be divided into three stages. The first is the novice stage, where driving feels awkward and basic actions require repeated checking. The second is the transitional period, where one can handle basic road conditions but still needs full concentration. The third is the veteran stage, where driving becomes instinctive and everything feels natural. The key is more practice—don't just stick to short distances.