Driving is about more than just getting behind the wheel of a car. It’s about looking after our vehicles, enjoying the journey itself, and sometimes escaping the realities of the world. Driving has so many facets.

We often receive advice while behind the wheel. We wish we had received some of that sooner, as it could have really benefitted us in the long run. This list contains some of the advice that we want to have been passed down to us much sooner.

Buy A Car With A Good Track Record

It might seem obvious, but many people forget to buy a car with good reviews and a good history. We often neglect things such as reliability and comfort and go for purely superficial elements of the vehicle.

Checking out websites such as Consumer Reports and RepairPal, plus the NHTSA, can help you decide if the car you are going for is worth buying. Equally, it can tell you if you should stay away.

Stay On Top Of Vehicle Maintenance

This is another piece of advice that might seem obvious, yet again, it’s also something we can easily neglect. Modern cars are incredibly reliable and can run for years without any issues. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it brought into the garage once in a while for a service.

Doing so can keep your vehicle reliable and stop any faults from developing or getting worse. Plus, it’s the easiest way to ensure your car is still safe on the road.

Don’t Buy Brand New Cars

While it might seem like buying a brand-new car is best, that isn’t always the case. New vehicles are costly, and prices seem to be getting worse. Yet, for a lot less money, you can pick up decent cars that are just a few years old.

They don’t have to be high-mileage cars in rough conditions, either. In some cases, they can be tidy cars with less than 50,000 miles on the clock. It really is worth shopping around.

Think About The Future

There is a chance that you may have a partner, and the two of you are thinking about starting a family together. The best thing to do when buying a car, then, is to make sure it can comfortably accommodate you as parents and the little ones.

Future-proofing your next vehicle is vital. It will save you from having to sell your flashy sports car in a few years when you already have the perfect vehicle for the job.

Think About Buying An Electric Car

There is no denying that EVs and electric cars are in the ascendency. More and more manufacturers have followed Tesla into the electric world, and while the jury is still out slightly, they do have some environmental benefits.

That alone is a reason to consider an electric car. Now, more than ever, we need to look after the planet, and EVs can help. Just don’t leave it too late.

Make Sure Your Drivers’ License Is In-Date

Many of us are likely up to date on when our driver’s licenses expire and know that we have to renew them at some point. But sometimes, it is easy to forget this until we are pulled over and a cop sees that our license has expired.

That can lead to a whole world of trouble. If you think your license is approaching renewal, check it and note when it needs renewal. That will save you an unnecessary brush with the law.

Be On Top Of Your Car Insurance

Your vehicle’s insurance goes along with the license. Typically, this needs to be renewed every year, and it is as much a safety requirement as it is a legal one. But once again, it’s sometimes easy to forget this.

Most insurance companies send out reminders to ensure we don’t forget to renew our coverage. But making a note of it yourself can help ensure you don’t land yourself in hot water.

Treat Your Vehicle With Respect And Care

After a while, we might view our car or vehicle as nothing more than a tool—something that gets us from A to B and is easily replaceable. However, you should still treat it with respect and look after it.

Don’t rev the engine too high. Keep on top of components such as the brakes and tires. And don’t scratch or dent it, as that could lower its value if you want to sell it one day.

Enjoy The Driving Experience

Although our cars are just tools and have to get us from A to B, we may lose sight of the fact that driving can be delightful. The world is full of epic roads and cars we can enjoy, and driving itself can be quite a relaxing experience.

Whether we are behind the wheel of the gorgeous Chevrolet C8 Corvette or the unusual Fiat Multipla MPV, driving is a lot of fun. As automotive enthusiasts, we must not forget that.

Be Safe And Responsible

Driving is generally safe and without risk. However, there are bad drivers out there, and some slightly sketchy roads could throw up a surprise or two.

Our cars should protect us in the event of an accident, but it’s still not a good idea to get involved in an accident. Keep checking your mirrors when turning or changing lanes, don’t speed, and don’t get angry if something annoys you behind the wheel.