For learners and newer drivers especially, switching between the two can take some adjustment. The good news is that once you understand what changes, it becomes much easier to feel confident in both.

What urban driving is really about

Urban driving is all about awareness. In towns and cities, there’s a lot happening at once: traffic lights, buses pulling out, pedestrians crossing unexpectedly, parked cars, cyclists filtering through and sat nav instructions arriving every few seconds.

The biggest challenge is often processing lots of information quickly.

You’ll usually need to:

• Check mirrors more frequently
• Keep a safe distance in stop-start traffic
• Anticipate pedestrians stepping into the road
• Watch for cyclists and motorbikes around junctions
• Stay alert for sudden lane changes or buses stopping

Because speeds are generally lower, urban driving often feels less intimidating at first. But the higher number of hazards means concentration needs to stay high.

Patience matters too. Traffic builds quickly, and rushing decisions in busy areas can lead to mistakes.

How rural driving feels different

Rural driving is often quieter – but that doesn’t always make it easier. The roads may be emptier, but they usually demand a different kind of concentration.

You’re more likely to face:

• Narrow country lanes
• Sharper bends with limited visibility
• Uneven road surfaces
• Mud, gravel or standing water
• Animals, cyclists or horse riders
• National speed limit roads that still require caution

For newer drivers, speed can be the biggest adjustment. Even though the national speed limit may apply, that doesn’t always mean it’s safe to drive at that speed. On winding country roads, the safest speed is often much lower.

Reading the road ahead becomes especially important, because hazards can appear much more suddenly than in town.

The confidence shift between the two

A lot of drivers find they naturally prefer one environment over the other. Some people feel more comfortable in towns because speeds are lower and the roads are familiar. Others prefer rural roads because there’s less traffic and fewer junctions.

The challenge often comes when switching between the two on the same journey. For example, you might leave a city centre, build confidence on faster roads, then suddenly need to navigate narrow country lanes.

That’s why adaptability is such an important driving skill. The more varied your driving experience becomes, the easier it is to stay calm and adjust your approach depending on where you are.

Tips for handling both with confidence

A few simple habits can help:

In urban areas

• Slow down early approaching junctions
• Expect the unexpected from pedestrians and cyclists
• Use mirrors frequently
• Be patient in queues and traffic

In rural areas

• Reduce speed before blind bends
• Be prepared to stop for oncoming traffic on narrow roads
• Watch for wildlife, mud and cyclists
• Don’t treat the speed limit as a target

Becoming a more confident all-round driver

The best drivers aren’t just confident in one environment – they know how to adapt. Learning how urban and rural roads differ helps you build better awareness, stronger judgement and more confidence behind the wheel.

And the more experience you get in both, the easier it becomes to read the road, manage hazards and enjoy the drive wherever you’re headed.

Wherever you’re driving, get a quote and see how learner driver insurance can help you feel more confident behind the wheel.

The post Urban vs Rural driving: What changes behind the wheel? appeared first on Veygo.

It takes less than a minute, and it helps ensure both your vehicle and your surroundings are ready for the road. So what exactly should this 60-second safety check include?

Why it matters

When we drive regularly, it’s easy to slip into autopilot. You get in the car, start the engine and head off without giving things a second thought.

But small issues can develop quickly – underinflated tyres, poor visibility, or something left in the wrong place inside the car.

A quick check before setting off helps you spot potential problems early, before they turn into something more serious once you’re on the road. It’s especially useful if you haven’t driven the car for a few days, you’re borrowing someone else’s vehicle, or you’re about to start a longer journey.

The simple 60-second check

You don’t need to inspect every part of your car before every trip. A few quick observations can go a long way.

Here’s a simple routine that many drivers find helpful.

1. Check around the car

Before getting in, take a quick walk around the vehicle. Look for anything unusual such as a flat tyre, damage you hadn’t noticed before, or objects close to the wheels.

It’s also a good opportunity to spot anything behind the car that might not be visible from the driver’s seat, especially if you’re parked on a street or in a busy car park.

2. Look at your tyres

You don’t need to measure tyre pressure every time you drive, but it’s worth glancing at them.

If a tyre looks noticeably lower than the others, it could indicate a slow puncture. Catching this early can prevent further damage and reduce the risk of a blowout while driving.

While you’re there, it’s also worth checking the tyre tread looks healthy and not overly worn.

3. Check your visibility

Clear visibility is essential for safe driving.

Take a moment to check that your windscreen, mirrors and windows are clean and free from obstructions. Frost, condensation or dirt can all reduce what you’re able to see – particularly in poor weather or low light.

It’s also worth making sure you have enough screenwash, so you can quickly clear the windscreen if it becomes dirty while driving.

4. Secure loose items inside the car

Loose items can become distractions or hazards, especially during sudden braking.

Make sure bags, bottles or other objects aren’t rolling around the footwell or seats before you start driving. Keeping the cabin tidy also reduces the chance of something interfering with the pedals.

5. Make sure your lights are working

Working lights are essential for visibility – both for you, and for other road users.

If you’re driving in low light, rain or fog, it’s worth quickly checking that your headlights, brake lights and indicators are working properly.

You can often spot issues by looking for reflections in nearby windows or surfaces, or by asking someone to help you check them occasionally.

A habit worth building

Many driving instructors encourage checks like these while you’re learning – but it’s a habit that can easily fade over time.

Taking just 60 seconds before you set off can help you avoid simple problems and drive with greater confidence. It’s not about being overly cautious. It’s about giving yourself a moment to prepare before joining the road.

Because sometimes, the smallest routines can make the biggest difference to your safety – and to the safety of everyone around you.

The post The 60-second safety check most drivers skip appeared first on Veygo.

But in reality, car parks are one of the most common places for bumps, scrapes and near misses.

Tight spaces, pedestrians, reversing vehicles and distracted drivers all combine to create an environment where small mistakes can quickly turn into costly ones. Whether you’ve just passed your test or have years of experience behind the wheel, it’s worth brushing up on the most common car park errors – and how to avoid them.

1. Rushing to grab a space

We’ve all seen it – a driver spots a free bay and makes a beeline for it without fully checking their surroundings.

Car parks can trigger a competitive mindset, especially in busy supermarkets or retail parks. But rushing often leads to poor observations, tight turns and misjudged distances.

How to avoid it:
Slow down as you enter. Scan ahead and around you, not just for empty spaces but for pedestrians, trolleys and reversing lights. A few extra seconds can prevent a costly scrape.

2. Poor observation when reversing

Reversing is one of the biggest causes of car park incidents. It’s easy to rely too heavily on mirrors or reversing cameras and miss what’s happening around you.

Pedestrians – especially children – can appear suddenly between parked cars. Other vehicles may also begin reversing at the same time.

How to avoid it:
Use all-round observation. Check mirrors, look over your shoulders and move slowly. If your view is restricted, take extra care. Technology helps, but it doesn’t replace proper checks.

3. Cutting across empty bays

When a car park looks quiet, it can be tempting to cut across empty spaces rather than sticking to the marked lanes.

The problem? Other drivers may not expect you to approach from that direction. It increases the chance of confusion or a low-speed collision.

How to avoid it:
Stick to the designated lanes and arrows, even if the car park is nearly empty. Predictability makes things safer for everyone.

4. Misjudging space when parking

Underestimating how much room you need – or overestimating your turning circle – can leave you parked over the line or uncomfortably close to another car.

This doesn’t just make life difficult for other drivers. It also increases the chance of door dings and minor damage.

How to avoid it:
Take your time lining up properly. If you’re not happy with your position, adjust it. A quick correction is better than squeezing into a space and hoping for the best.

5. Ignoring pedestrians

Car parks are shared spaces. People are often walking between cars, unloading shopping or managing young children.

Because speeds are lower, some drivers become less vigilant. But lower speeds don’t remove the risk – they just increase reaction time.

How to avoid it:
Expect pedestrians at all times, especially near shop entrances or payment machines. Drive slowly and be prepared to stop.

6. Getting distracted

It’s easy to switch off mentally once you’ve left the main road. Adjusting your sat nav, checking your phone, or chatting to passengers can take your attention away at the wrong moment.

Car parks require concentration, particularly when manoeuvring in tight areas.

How to avoid it:
Stay focused until you’ve fully parked and switched off the engine. If you need to check directions or messages, wait until you’re safely stationary.

7. Forgetting about your surroundings when leaving

The final mistake often happens at the end of the journey.

Drivers may jump back in the car and reverse out without fully checking around them. Others forget that visibility can be reduced by larger vehicles parked either side.

How to avoid it:
Before moving, check mirrors and blind spots carefully. Reverse slowly and be prepared to stop if necessary. If your view is blocked, inch out gradually while continuing to observe.

Small spaces, big consequences

Car park incidents are usually low-speed, but they can still be stressful and expensive.

The good news is that most common mistakes come down to patience and observation. Slowing down, staying predictable and giving yourself time to manoeuvre can significantly reduce the risk of bumps and scrapes.

Car parks might not feel like the most challenging part of driving – but they demand just as much care and attention as any other road environment.

Make sure you’re set up to drive with confidence from day one

The post 7 common car park mistakes appeared first on Veygo.

What is the dutch reach?

The dutch reach is a simple change in the way you get out of the car that can help stop accidents known as ‘doorings’. If you haven’t heard of the dutch reach then we’re guessing you don’t know what ‘dooring’ is either (to be fair, we didn’t until 4 weeks ago), it’s basically when a passenger or driver in a parked car opens the door into the path of a cyclist or vehicle.

Sadly, hundreds of cyclists are injured every year in the UK as a result of dooring collisions. Cycling increased by up to 200% in the UK over the lockdown period, it’s more important than ever that we keep cyclists safe on the road.

You can avoid this kind of accident simply by making the dutch reach a habit when getting out of your car. So without further adieu; here’s how to do it.

How to do the dutch reach

Step 1: Reach

Reach across to your car door handle with the hand that is furthest away from the door.

Step 2: Swivel

Reaching across with your arm will force you to swivel your body so you can look into your rear view mirror and out the side of your window.

Step 3: Look back

Look over your shoulder to see if there is any oncoming traffic.

Step 4: Open slowly

Once you’ve checked the road is clear, slowly open your car door and step out facing the traffic.

Where does the dutch reach come from?

Yep, you’ve guessed it…the Netherlands. What better place to get road safety tips from than the land of tulips, windmills and cycling?

The technique has been familiar to learner drivers in the Netherlands for around 50 years. They don’t refer to it as ‘the dutch reach’, it’s simply how they’re taught to open a car door.

The term was coined by Michael Charney, a retired physician and cycling enthusiast from the USA. In 2016 he launched dutchreach.org to spread awareness after a 27 year old nursing student passed away after a dooring accident near his home.

Here in the UK, Cycling UK have done some amazing work to try and get the dutch reach out to the world. They’ve even got the dutch reach into the proposals for a revised Highway Code.

You may not need to know the dutch reach for your theory test just yet. But that could all change soon so it’s good to get ahead of the game.

The dutch reach challenge

It’s safe, simple and it works. The tricky part is doing it daily so that it becomes a habit. We thought long and hard about how we could help spread awareness and make the dutch reach easier to remember. Enter: the dutch reach challenge.

@veygouk Let's protect cyclists and do the Dutch Reach together #Veygodutchreach #Tiktokchallenge #Drivingtips #Fyp #Cycling #Drivingchallenge ♬ original sound – Veygo Insurance

That’s right. We’ve created a dance routine for the dutch reach. We couldn’t resist. We’ve been dancing our way out of our cars for weeks now. And now it’s your turn to get involved and do the #Veygodutchreach. Who knew road safety could be so catchy?

The post The Dutch Reach: everything you need to know appeared first on Veygo.

We’ve tackled some of the most frequently asked questions around driving. Are they just fiction or are they really a thing?

1. Is it illegal to drive barefoot?

Ready to blow your mind? It’s actually not illegal to drive in the UK without shoes on, or in flip flops. But, and there is a big but – you’ll need to be able to use the pedals safely, and you can put yourself, your passengers and other drivers at risk. Driving with wet feet is illegal, if that wasn’t obvious. If you’re viewed as driving carelessly though, you’ll get a heavy fine, so you might want to keep your shoes on.

The DVSA doesn’t recommend driving barefoot because you won’t have the same braking force as you would with shoes on, so you’re best off keeping your shoes on.

2. Is it illegal to eat and drive?

It’s not illegal, but it’s not advisable. You can be fined if you’re not in proper control of your car if you’re eating or drinking, and drivers who snack ‘n’ ride are usually slower than usual, putting other drivers at risk. Plus, are you really enjoying your food like that?

3. Can you drive with your dog in the car?

Short answer? Yes. Just make sure they’re restrained and not distracting you. If you don’t you could get a steep £100 on the spot fine. Ouch. This goes for any pet – dog, cat, iguana – all need to be secure.

Rule 57 of the Highway Code says, “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

4. Is it illegal to drive in sunglasses?

This is a tricky one. You can get in trouble if you’re wearing the wrong sunglasses, but also for forgetting them when it’s important. Still confused?

Wearing sunglasses in bright conditions isn’t a legal requirement, but if you’re dazzled by the sun without them, you could be slapped with a careless driving charge. Taking your eyes off the road could lead to you careless driving, which carries a £100 on-the-spot fine.

It’s also illegal to wear super dark sunnies while driving. You’re not allowed to drive wearing category 4 lenses which only transmit between 3% and 8% of light. Stick to category 2 lenses behind the wheel and leave category 4 for hitting the slopes and looking cool at après.

5. Is it illegal to splash pedestrians?

Don’t be that person. Not only is driving through a puddle to splash nearby pedestrians plain rude, it can also be classified as a criminal offence. If it’s decided that you were driving without reasonable considerations for other people, you could face 3 penalty points plus a fine of up to £5000. Maybe stay out of the puddles…

6. Is there a 10% allowance for speeding?

Apparently the 10% rule applies to everything from essay word count limits, to speed limits. But is that really the case? We can’t vouch for your word count, but it’s not necessarily true for speeding.

Police officers are recommended to give drivers leeway before booking them for speeding. This is usually 10% over the speed limit plus 2mph. Even then, it’s down to their discretion which means they can give you a ticket for going 32 in a 30 zone. Yikes.

Check out our article on speed awareness courses to get a proper understanding.

7. Is it illegal to drive with interior lights on?

Who else’s parents told them that it’s illegal to turn on the lights in the car? Not a bad shout if you want to stop kids playing with them. You’ll be shocked to hear there’s actually no law against this in the UK. However, if police think the interior light’s affecting your driving, they can ask you to turn it off.

8. Can you drive other cars without insurance?

If you’re under 25? Probably not. The driving other cars (DOC) extension is a benefit included in some insurance policies. We’ve got all the car insurance jargon explained in another article, but DOC is basically where you can drive another person’s car, with the owner’s permission and be covered by your own insurance policy as third party insurance.

Even then, a lot of insurance companies won’t do this unless you’re over 25 and meet other criteria. Also if you have an accident, your insurance won’t cover all the damage. It’s a grey area and not one we recommend unless it’s an emergency.

Check out our guide to driving without insurance for more information.

9. Is it illegal to adjust your satnav while driving?

You shouldn’t adjust your satnav while driving. Satnavs have to be a in a fixed position on either your dashboard or windscreen. If you’re using your phone as a satnav, the same rules apply. The dashboard is the best option as it won’t get in the way of your view.

10. Does a speed camera always flash?

No, speed cameras won’t always flash. There are loads of different types of speed cameras and only the Gatso type (the big yellow ones) flash when they take your photo. Others use infra red light to catch you speeding. The only way to avoid a speeding conviction is to look out for road signs and stick to the speed limits.

11. Is coasting illegal?

Coasting is when you disengage the engine, by depressing the clutch or leaving the car in neutral, and move without using power. When you do this the car is free wheeling.

Although coasting itself isn’t illegal, it can be dangerous and could lead to prosecution. If you were involved in an accident while coasting, you could be at fault for having a lack of control of the car. It’s also bad for your car and your brakes can wear faster.

12. Will you get fined if you run out of petrol on the motorway?

Running out of fuel when driving on the motorway isn’t illegal, but it’s irresponsible and potentially dangerous. You could definitely find yourself with a fine if you’re brought to halt because of a lack of fuel on a motorway. To avoid finding yourself in a dangerous situation on a high speed motorway, remember to make sure you have enough fuel in the car before your road trip.

13. Is it illegal to drive with a broken wing mirror?

According to the constructions and use regulations 1986, all cars need to have at least two mirrors, unless they were first used before 1st August 1978. It’s legal to drive without a passenger side wing mirror, but you need to have a rear view mirror and a driver side wing mirror.

With that said, it’s not advisable to drive with a smashed or missing wing mirror because you’ll find it difficult to see hazards. If the rear –view mirror is blocked, you need two working wing mirrors. You have to make sure you’re always able to see clearly behind you.

14. Is it illegal to sleep in your car?

The answer to this one is sometimes. Long journeys can be tiring and it’s best to plan enough rest stops that you won’t need to sleep in your car. If you really need a shuteye though, you can sleep in your car as long as you:

• Aren’t under the influence of drink or drugs
• Are legally parked in a safe location and not a hazard for other road users.

This means that you can’t pull into the hard shoulder for a nap on the motorway, you’ll have to wait for the next service station. A quick kip at a service station is usually fine, just make sure you don’t overstay the free parking, or that’s another thing to worry over.

15. Can you wear headphones while driving?

There’s no specific law against this, but police have all the rights to stop you for careless driving and you could find yourself landing a hefty fine.

If you think about it, wearing headphones could be really dangerous because you’re not as aware of the things around you like horns or sirens and it can be super distracting. If you’re speaking to someone while driving, it’s better to connect your phone to the car’s bluetooth instead. Better safe than sorry.

16. Is it illegal to drive with no screenwash?

Technically every car fitted with a windscreen wiper has a washer. As a driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your car is roadworthy, including checking screen wash levels. It’s not illegal, but if you need it and can’t use it, you could be fined for having an obstructed view. We also have an article on the essential car maintenance checklist so your car stays top notch and ready to go.

Love driving but don’t have your own car? Enjoy the freedom of a full licence without the hassle and expense of car ownership with our temporary insurance. Insure yourself to drive a friend or family member’s car from 1 hour to 60 days. You’re fully covered for as long or as little as you need, and the owner’s no claims bonus won’t be affected.

The post Top 16 driving myths debunked appeared first on Veygo.