Tips for New Drivers: Building Confidence on Your Ps

Updated October 2026

Getting your provisional licence is a big milestone, but the first months of driving solo are also when new drivers are most at risk. Confidence comes from experience. Here is how to build it safely.

Start with familiar trips

Drive routes you know well before tackling unfamiliar roads, motorways or city centres. Gradually add new routes, busier times of day and longer trips as you become comfortable.

Keep a safe following distance

Leave at least a three-second gap to the vehicle in front in good conditions, and more in rain, at night or when towing. A bigger gap gives you time to react and makes driving far less stressful.

Put your phone away

In NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory, learner and provisional drivers cannot use a mobile phone while driving, and that includes hands-free calls. Victoria allows a phone in a proper cradle to be used for navigation or audio only if it is set up before you start the trip and not touched while driving. Set up everything before you move off, then keep your phone out of reach.

Know your provisional licence conditions

Provisional licences come with extra conditions, such as zero blood alcohol, P plates, passenger limits in some states, and lower demerit point limits. Conditions differ between states and territories, so check the current rules where you live.

Limit distractions and passengers

Friends in the car can be a major distraction. Keep the music at a sensible volume and ask passengers to help by staying calm and quiet in tricky traffic.

Plan for fatigue

Tiredness affects reaction time much like alcohol does. Avoid driving when you are tired, take a break at least every two hours on long trips, and share the driving where you can.

Keep learning

• Practise skills you found hard as a learner, such as merging, reversing or parking.
• Drive in different conditions with an experienced driver beside you before going solo: rain, night and motorways.
• Consider a refresher lesson with a professional instructor if something worries you.

Read more in our guides to defensive driving and driving at night.