Why Do Novice Drivers Tend to Drift to the Right?

[Ursula]

Novice drivers tend to drift to the right because they lack driving experience and fear colliding with surrounding vehicles when encountering oncoming traffic. As a result, they often drive closer to the right side, which over time becomes a habit. Other reasons why a vehicle may drift to the right while driving: Tire Issues: If the tire pressure differs significantly between the left and right sides, the vehicle will drift toward the side with lower pressure. Uneven tire wear can also cause the vehicle to drift toward the side with shallower tread. Alignment Issues: Incorrect alignment data can also lead to drifting. The vehicle may drift toward the side with a larger camber angle or toward the side with a smaller caster angle. Vehicle drifting is not an overly serious or complex issue, but it primarily stems from imbalances between the left and right sides. If such a problem occurs, it is necessary to adjust the vehicle properly. Otherwise, prolonged imbalance may lead to uneven wear on critical components like tires, creating additional safety hazards.

[StOscar]

It's very common for beginners to drive slightly to the right. As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen this too many times. The main reason is that in right-hand traffic countries, new drivers tend to focus on the center white line or the vehicle ahead, subconsciously trying to avoid the left side for fear of oncoming traffic. Once their visual focus shifts, they naturally steer slightly to the right, causing the car to drift rightward. Beginners are often nervous and stiff, forgetting to make timely adjustments. Practice is key. Among those I've coached, I always recommend starting by practicing straight-line driving in an open area to develop a feel for steering and visual balance. Don't overcorrect the car's position—small, gradual adjustments work best. Remember to stay relaxed; a comfortable seating position also helps a lot. If you can clearly see the lane markings, worry less about the left side. With time and practice, the tendency to drift right will fade.

[SkylarRose]

After studying driving behavior for a long time, I believe that new drivers tend to veer to the right mostly due to psychological factors—subconsciously wanting to stay as far away from potential dangers as possible. For example, on urban roads, with traffic flow and the risk of oncoming vehicles on the left, people unconsciously drift to the right. The visual focus lands on the center of the lane, causing the vehicle to shift toward the 'safer' right side. This is also related to high cognitive load; beginners are busy handling the brake and accelerator, forgetting to control the steering wheel. To avoid veering right, the advice is not to fixate on one point but to scan the entire road surface. During practice, pay more attention to the feedback from the steering wheel and make small corrections if you feel the car drifting. Once good habits are developed, this deviation will decrease.

[Lucille]

When I first started learning to drive, I always veered to the right because I was particularly nervous in traffic, afraid of scraping against large vehicles on the left, so I kept steering to the right. It was even more noticeable when there were trees or parked cars on the road—I always wanted to avoid them. My instructor said I was paying too much attention to side references and should look straight ahead. Gradually, I learned to relax my grip and found that by focusing farther ahead, I could keep the steering wheel steady. Now, after more driving experience, this issue has basically disappeared.

[DeBeckett]

When my child first got his driver's license, I noticed he always veered to the right while driving, nearly scraping against roadside bollards several times. After talking with him, I found out it was because vehicles or pedestrians on the left made him nervous, causing him to swerve right. Visual misalignment was also a factor—he hadn't developed the habit of checking rearview mirrors and focused solely on what was ahead. I suggested he start practicing at low speeds, driving straight in parking lots to get a feel for it. From a parent's perspective, offering more encouragement and less criticism can boost confidence and help address such issues. Regularly checking the vehicle's condition is also crucial.