A calm Sunday evening is a useful time to prepare a new driver’s car for Monday morning. The aim is not to fill the cabin with gadgets. It is to remove avoidable decisions, put essential controls in a known position and make sure nothing can distract the driver or move around near the pedals.
1. Set the driving position before the journey
Start with the seat, head restraint and mirrors. The Highway Code’s Rule 97 says drivers should check that mirrors and the seat are adjusted correctly for comfort, full control and maximum vision before setting off. Make sure the driver can press every pedal fully without stretching, see clearly through the windscreen and use the controls without leaning forward.
If another family member used the car over the weekend, reset these items now. Also check the fuel or charge level, tyre condition, lights, wipers and screenwash. The Highway Code’s vehicle-maintenance guidance highlights working lights, brakes, steering, seat belts, demisters, wipers and washers, and says luggage should be securely stowed.
2. Remove the phone temptation
Choose one routine for the phone: set the route and music before moving, switch on Do Not Disturb, then place the device in a closed compartment or a fixed cradle. Never leave it loose on the passenger seat. The Highway Code’s Rule 149 says a hand-held phone must not be used for any purpose while driving or supervising a learner. It also warns that hands-free equipment can still distract attention.
A new driver should know that “stationary in traffic” is still driving. If a message or navigation problem needs attention, find a safe place to stop first. A prepared route and a stored phone make that decision easier.
3. Make the cockpit predictable
Spend two minutes locating the demister, hazard lights, headlight controls, wipers and fuel-cap release. Check that the dashboard is free from warning lights when the engine starts. Save breakdown assistance and a trusted family contact in the phone, as Rule 97 recommends carrying emergency contact details. Keep the glovebox tidy enough that the handbook, insurance contact and breakdown information can be found without rummaging.
4. Give emergency equipment a fixed home
An emergency escape tool should be secure, visible and reachable from the front seat. A door pocket or firmly fixed holder can be suitable if it will not fall out, slide under a pedal or disappear beneath luggage. Do not keep it loose in a cup holder and never test a window breaker on a vehicle. Explain its location to regular passengers and reserve it for a genuine emergency.
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5. Use an eight-point Sunday reset
- Seat, head restraint and mirrors correctly adjusted.
- Phone route set, distractions silenced and device secured.
- Windscreen, windows and mirrors clean and clear.
- Fuel or charge sufficient for the planned journey.
- Lights, indicators, wipers and screenwash checked.
- Breakdown and trusted-contact numbers saved.
- Bags, bottles and cables secured away from the pedals.
- Emergency tool fixed in its agreed, reachable location.
6. Protect Monday morning from rushing
Put the keys, licence and anything needed for work or college together on Sunday night. Allow a few extra minutes for the first journey of the week. If the driver feels pressured, the safest response is to leave later, tell the destination about the delay and drive normally—not to make up time.
This simple reset gives a new driver a consistent starting point: clear vision, correct controls, fewer distractions and emergency essentials that stay in one known place. Repeat it whenever someone else has used the car or before a longer journey.
Safety information is general guidance. Follow the Highway Code, the vehicle handbook and emergency-service instructions.
