Driving in an unfamiliar car: things you should be careful about.

Feeling hesitant and lacking confidence are common experiences for drivers when driving a new car. So, what skills are needed to get used to driving a new car quickly while ensuring safety? Here are some suggestions:

1. Estimate size and field of view

SUV, hatchback, and sedan segments have different roof lengths and turning radii. Therefore, drivers need to observe carefully from the outside to the inside. When sitting in the driver's seat, pay attention to adjusting the seat for optimal visibility, adjusting the distance of the accelerator, brake, and gear pedals, as well as the reach of the steering wheel for maximum comfort. In addition, to ensure that collisions do not occur, drivers need to determine the dimensions and maintain a clear view while sitting in the driver's seat.

2. Get used to it and react.

These are the most important factors to consider before driving. You shouldn't be as overconfident as you were when driving a used car; be careful when driving on deserted roads, test the ride comfort, throttle response, and brakes to ensure safety.

3. Become proficient in operating the vehicle.

When you start driving any car, the first thing you need to do is practice the basics. Of course, just knowing the control panel and a few places like the gas and brake pedals is enough to drive normally. However, when driving on the road, with countless unexpected situations, there are many potential dangers.

Drivers should familiarize themselves with the layout of the vehicle, memorizing any unfamiliar areas, features, or button locations. Additionally, they should adjust the driver's seat, steering wheel, and rearview mirrors to achieve a comfortable driving position, optimal hand placement on the steering wheel, and the best viewing angle through the rearview mirrors.

In addition, it's worth noting that the buttons on the steering wheel, door locks, windows, turn signals, lights, wipers, etc., are mostly similar across most cars, although some models have quite unusual designs.

Especially with technologically advanced vehicles, getting familiar with all the control buttons can be stressful for inexperienced drivers, and it can take a considerable amount of time. Therefore, the best approach is to ask the owner about the features if you don't understand the functions of the buttons at a glance.

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4. Vehicle engine

If you think that different types of engines are not much different, you're mistaken. In reality, they differ greatly, depending on the terrain—hills, plains, sandy roads, or muddy roads—and the engine will perform differently. Therefore, you should ask the owner about the engine's power and test the car's throttle to see how it handles.

5. Walk slowly and deliberately.

You shouldn't drive at high speeds when you first start; practice at low speeds and gradually increase them as you get used to it. Always remember that safety and precision are the most important things. Maintaining composure and a steady hand on the steering wheel is essential to becoming a professional driver.

6. Yield the right of way.

If you drive slowly, you'll likely encounter cars behind you honking and urging you to overtake. Don't rush to cut in or speed up; calmly check your rearview mirror, and if there's a safe gap, signal and yield. Always stay calm, perform precise maneuvers, and avoid rushing.

After the vehicle behind you has overtaken, return to your original lane and continue your journey. Getting used to yielding will also help improve your driving skills.

7. Keep your distance.

Maintaining distance is the most difficult thing for inexperienced drivers, especially when driving in large cities. In reality, vehicles on the road never park according to the distances recommended in textbooks or guides. Therefore, cutting in front of other vehicles is common, and during rush hour, the distance between cars is only a few centimeters.

Almost all drivers encounter this situation. So how can you avoid a collision? Find a stretch of road with little traffic, ask someone to signal for you, practice approaching a motorbike or car gradually, and stopping just before a collision. Feel and measure the safe distance between the front of your vehicle and the vehicles in front. Remember, each vehicle has a different front end length, so feeling the distance ahead is essential whenever driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

8. Look at the signs.

No matter how familiar you are with the roads or how well you remember the rules, always make it a habit to look at traffic signs, because your assumptions aren't always correct. Remember speed limit signs, no-car signs, no-parking signs, signs allowing right turns on a red light, etc. – all require your attention to avoid breaking the law.

Don't tailgate large vehicles like coaches, trucks, or buses; you'll lose your view and be unable to see the road signs.

9. Turn the car around.

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Turning a car around is no easy feat for new drivers. In heavy traffic, with other vehicles constantly rushing, calmly handling the situation while turning is extremely important.

In areas with signs indicating that crossing or making a U-turn is permitted, signal early as you approach the turning point, then slowly steer while checking your rearview mirrors.

On streets where U-turns are required, it's necessary to observe and find a suitable location to make a U-turn with minimal disruption to other vehicles.

10. Parking and reversing

Parking, whether parallel or reversing, requires skillful driving. The safe parking distance in Vietnam is never sufficient, so you need to perform this maneuver very carefully.

Park calmly, check your rearview mirrors, and ask for help if needed. Being overconfident while driving can be dangerous.

According to VNE