What to Do If You're Out of Practice with Driving?
4 Answers
More practice is the top priority. Frequent hands-on practice makes perfect, which is the best and most important way to improve driving skills. Boldness with caution is a quality that every qualified driver must possess. Quick reflexes are closely related to excellent driving skills.
I had a friend who experienced the same thing before—after a long holiday, even holding the steering wheel felt unfamiliar. My suggestion is to find a large parking lot and focus on practicing basic skills. Start by driving slowly around the lot, with special emphasis on parallel parking and reverse parking. Nowadays, cars come with rearview cameras, which can make us overly reliant on the device and forget how to use the side mirrors properly. Remember to readjust your seat and mirrors to the most comfortable position—your old preferences might have changed after half a year. Before hitting the road, test the brakes a couple of times to get a feel for their responsiveness; it’s easy to forget how soft or hard they are after a long break. Avoid highways at first and instead take some time on weekends to drive on less busy ring roads. If the steering wheel feels heavier than expected, try holding it at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions—this grip provides better stability when turning.
I have personal experience with this. Last year, after being away on business for half a year, I almost forgot how to step on the accelerator. The most helpful thing was asking an experienced driver to sit in the passenger seat as a coach—having someone watching gave me confidence. Don't expect to master it all at once. Start by driving to the supermarket within two kilometers on weekends, specifically choosing times when there are fewer people after dinner. Turn on the turn signal three seconds in advance, and practice checking the rearview mirror when changing lanes deliberately—it's easy to forget blind spots when you're rusty. Make sure the phone holder is securely installed, and turn up the navigation volume to remind you of speed limits. Always enable the auto-hold function if available—it's super practical for freeing your right foot at red lights. Driving is like riding a bike; once muscle memory kicks back in, it becomes smooth again.
Find an open area to practice the three stages: first, drive straight and reverse to get a feel for the car, then practice turning by driving in a figure-eight pattern, and finally simulate passing on narrow roads. Focus on reviewing how to judge distances using the three mirrors, and observe the relationship between the front door handle and the curb during parallel parking. Don’t rush when starting at traffic lights; if you’re first in line, gently press the accelerator to avoid honking from cars behind. Be sure to practice braking in rainy conditions, as worn tires increase stopping distance. Check street view maps in advance for unfamiliar routes, as lane divisions at intersections change frequently. Always keep sunglasses in the car—driving into the sunset as a beginner is the most dangerous. During the recovery period, avoid challenging narrow-road encounters; it’s fine to yield when needed.
