Top 10 Mistakes New Canadian Drivers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Getting your license in Canada is a great achievement, but once you have passed the road test, you do not stop learning. Many new drivers - whether out of driving school or new from any other country - make avoidable mistakes that can cause fines, accidents or bad habits.
To be safe and confident on the wheel, here are the top 10 mistakes that create new Canadian drivers - and how to avoid them.
- Ignore signs of the road or misunderstand them Error: New drivers often ignore or misinterpret important signs such as school zones, flow signals or speed limit changes.
How to avoid this:
Study the Ontario Driver’s Handbook (or your province’s equivalent) regularly—even after passing your G1. Pay special attention to less obvious signs, like no-stopping zones or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.
- Running very slowly Error: It is common to be very careful among new drivers. But very slowly - especially on highways - can be just as dangerous.
How to avoid this: Learn the minimum speed limit (usually about 60 km/h on the highways), and if you are not comfortable at full speed, you can stay in the right path. Self -confidence grows with practice, so gradually increases at high speed.
- Don’t check blind spots Error: Many new drivers trust too much on the mirror and forget to check the shoulder before changing or turning the streets.
How to avoid this: Always check a shoulder before switching or merging lanes. It will be another species over time.
- Dissection of signal Error: Some new drivers forget to indicate perfectly, while others use them too much, such as indicating very quickly or leaving them after a turn.
How to avoid this: Use the blade signs continuously, but only when you are a step. Cancel the signal immediately after replacing or replacing the path.
- Very close Error: Tailgating is dangerous, especially in bad weather. Many new drivers do not understand how long it will take to stay safe.
How to avoid this: Follow the rule with 3 seconds: Choose a specific point that the car goes forward and counts three seconds before it reaches it. Add more time to rain or ice.
- Very hard or too late braking Error: Sudden braking is a common sign of inexperience and can cause accidents or can make passengers uncomfortable.
How to avoid this: Look far ahead and the estimate stops quickly. Light on the brake slowly. Practice smooth braking in small traffic areas.
- Nervous in bad weather Error: Snow, snow, fog or heavy rain can overwhelm new drivers, leading to unprotected decisions or overestimating.
How to avoid this: Take a winter driving course if you are new in Canadian winter. In snow or rain, slowly, increase the distance down and avoid sudden movements.
- Failing to check pedestrians and cyclists Error: New drivers often focus so much on other cars that they forget to scan the sidewalk, cross or bicycle lane.
How to avoid this: Always scan the intersections, especially when it swings. For pedestrians and check the bicycle drivers before opening the door and opening the door or turning to the right.
- Extreme trust after passing the test Error: Many drivers believe that after learning that they get the G2 or G license, causing careless habits.
How to avoid this: Be humble behind the wheel. Understand the first years as a continuous learning period as a driver. Continue to practice in different environments and traffic conditions.
- Do not maintain the car properly Error: Many new drivers do not know how to check the tire, up in the liquid or identify the dashboard’s warning light.
How to avoid this: Know the basics of car maintenance or seek help from the mechanic you trust. Keep the tires bloated, check the oil and serve the brake regularly. A poor car is a safety risk.