Why Do Novice Drivers Tend to Drift to the Left?

[JulianLynn]

Novice drivers often experience "drifting," typically due to the following two reasons: 1. Narrow field of vision: Many beginners tend to focus their gaze on the area just in front of the engine hood while driving, resulting in a limited field of vision and causing the vehicle to drift. 2. Oversteering due to nervousness: Because of tension, novice drivers may turn the steering wheel too sharply when adjusting direction, or grip it too tightly, leading to unintended tilting and vehicle drift. How to drive straight: 1. Hold the steering wheel steady and straight: When the steering wheel is properly centered, keeping it level will allow the car to move straight. If the car slightly deviates from a straight path, gently adjust the steering wheel in the opposite direction—avoid making large corrections. Additionally, maintain a firm yet relaxed grip to prevent the car from weaving in an "S" pattern due to nervous shaking. 2. Use reference points while driving: Beginners should learn to identify suitable reference points on the road to help maintain straight-line driving. Drivers can use road markings (such as center lines), roadside edges, or large trees as guides.

[AbigailFitz]

I've observed this issue for a long time. Novice drivers tending to drift left is mainly caused by visual habits. Sitting on the left side of the driver's seat, people instinctively lean their gaze to the left, resulting in unconsciously veering left while driving. Another key factor is poor judgment of vehicle width - always fearing to scrape the right side, they subconsciously avoid to the left. Road design details also contribute - the drainage slope in the middle of urban roads tilts outward, making vehicles slide left like on a slide. Steering wheel handling is another pitfall - beginners grip too tightly and tend to overcorrect slightly left when adjusting direction, accumulating into noticeable drift. My suggestion is to focus your gaze further ahead, aiming at a point 200-300 meters straight down the road, hold the steering wheel lightly without force, and you'll gradually straighten out.

[StArianna]

When I first started driving, I also kept veering to the left, and my instructor scolded me several times. The core issues were two misjudgments: first, mistakenly using the windshield pillars as reference points, which naturally caused the car to drift off course; second, not knowing how to glance at the rearview mirrors with peripheral vision. This was especially noticeable when making left turns—I was always afraid of turning the steering wheel too much and hitting the median barrier, so my turning radius kept getting wider. Another lesser-known fact is that uneven tire pressure also affects steering; even a 0.1 bar difference between left and right tires can be noticeable. During practice, find a straight road, stick a tape marker on the hood aligned with the road’s center line, and drive a few laps to get the hang of it. Now, I always check the tire pressure monitor before every drive.

[DeLyla]

The hand position on the steering wheel is the most easily overlooked issue. Beginners often tightly grip the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, but since the left hand is stronger, they subconsciously pull the wheel to the left. When correcting, they overcompensate with a sharp turn back, causing the car to sway drunkenly from side to side. Last time I was teaching my daughter to drive, I noticed she was leaning forward against the steering wheel with her neck stretched out, which tilted her entire perspective to the left, making her see only the left wheel in the rearview mirror. Later, I had her sit back firmly against the seat and place her hands at the 8 and 9 o'clock positions, holding the wheel lightly, and she immediately drove much straighter. Remember, the steering wheel's resistance and the wheel's turn ratio is 1:12, so slight fingertip adjustments are enough to maintain a straight line.