Things You Don’t Learn in Driver’s Ed

Driver’s ed familiarizes new drivers with the rules and regulations of the road while teaching them the skills to stay safe. While driver’s ed is a great and necessary tool for getting your driver’s license, some skills and knowledge aren’t part of the curriculum. There are certain things you don’t learn in driver’s ed that drivers should know before they face these scenarios alone.

ABS Brakes

Learning how to brake as a new driver is a tricky task. Many times, a new driver will timidly brake to avoid jerks or car damage. What they often don’t know is that they should get some practice with pressing down hard on the brakes.

Most modern cars have an anti-lock braking system, or ABS brakes, that will pulse when a driver slams down on the brake pedal, giving you more stability and control.

New drivers should practice pressing hard on the brake pedal in an empty parking lot to be comfortable with the pulsations they may feel when they activate the ABS, as well as the feeling of coming to an abrupt stop. You don’t want to wait to get comfortable with braking quickly until you suddenly find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are supposed to make intersections safer, but for a new driver, these intersections can seem like a more dangerous option. When nearing a roundabout, the first thing you should do is yield to any drivers currently in the roundabout. If it’s a multilane roundabout, you will also need to determine what lane you will need to be in when approaching, depending on what direction you’ll need to exit.

For example, if you plan to go forward or to the left, you will most likely need to make your way to the inner lane of the roundabout. On the other hand, if you are turning right or at the first outlet, you will enter the outside lane.

Once you are in the roundabout, it is imperative to stay in your lane and continue moving with traffic. If you are in the proper lane, all you will have to do to successfully complete the roundabout is to keep driving.

Handling Emergencies

Emergencies come in all different forms on the road. The number one tip in any emergency is to stay calm. Something that many instructors overlook when teaching drivers about handling accidents is how to handle insurance coverage.

To file a claim, collect your insurance information and that of the other party, and report the accident to your insurance provider. Take photos of any damage to both cars, as well as the surrounding area and any pertinent property damage. Another overlooked emergency that new drivers may be unprepared for is getting their cars stuck in uneasy terrain.

Getting your car unstuck from mud, snow, or a flooded street is a serious possibility. Be sure to familiarize yourself with roadside assistance options that can help you get out of any sticky situation.

Using ABS brakes, navigating roundabouts, and handling roadside emergencies are things you don’t learn in drivers ed, but they’re vital information to have when you begin driving on your own.

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