Amy’s First Drive: A Journey of Excitement and New Beginnings in Her New Car

Like most young people, I started driving after passing my test at 17, and I never looked back. The freedom was endless, and getting from A to B without relying on my Mum was an absolute dream! Both for her and for me!

My first car…

I was fortunate enough to be bought my first car, a black 2011 Fiat 500. Although this little car was 7 years old when I bought it, the previous owners had only done 20,000 miles, and it made a perfect first car. Most of us had a “banger” which we ran into the ground, and my Fiat was no exception.

However, I decided to upgrade after 6 years as the car started having something wrong with it at every MOT and service. In June 2024, I purchased my 2021 Hyundai i10. This car is one that is durable, reliable, and feels way more solid to drive. Even small things like having thicker, heavier door handles which won’t snap like my Fiat doors did, let alone the technology features which felt like an absolute dream!

A huge leap…

When I purchased my new car, I found it quite overwhelming knowing just how many features it had. From cruise control to heated seats, Apple Car Play to lane assist, this car has been a huge leap from my 2011 Fiat that I cherished for 6 years.

My first journey in my new car involved a drive home from dealership which was located 100 miles away. Driving it back to Hertfordshire, was certainly chucking myself into the deep end. But it did make for a great experience and filled me with a sense of pride that this car was finally mine!

A few months later, I’m still extremely impressed at the features this car has. It has made long distance journeys way more comfortable and even the daily commute feels a lot more enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not 100% used to the car yet but in time, I know that my confidence and driving ability will only grow as I encounter new challenges.

My learnings…

In the 3 months since upgrading my car, this is what I have learned:

Your handbook and Tik Tok will be your best friend. For example, every time I opened the driver side door, my car would scream at me constantly. After doing a quick look online, I noticed I had been leaving certain lights on, causing the alarm.

Being anxious about driving a new car is normal. I was terrified driving this car home from Wolverhampton, but I did it, and nothing bad happened. Your anxiety is only trying to protect you, but if it does get out of hand, our courses might be able to help you.

It will take time to get used to a new car, and you will make mistakes. It’s how you recover and learn from them that matters most.