Getting Comfortable With an Unfamiliar Car

Before driving an unfamiliar car, take time to learn its controls while parked. Adjust the seat, mirrors and steering position so you can see and operate the controls comfortably. Locate the lights, wipers, hazard switch and demisting controls before you need them on the road.

Ask the seller or rental provider to explain the transmission selector, parking brake and any unfamiliar dashboard messages. Read the relevant sections of the owner manual. If you do not understand a warning, stop and get it checked rather than assuming it is a harmless feature of the model.

Plan your first journey for a route you know and leave enough time to avoid rushing. Build familiarity with low-speed manoeuvres in a suitable, safe location. Cameras and sensors can help you judge position, but continue checking your surroundings directly rather than relying on the display alone.

After the drive, note any controls or behaviours that need clarification. At a vehicle viewing, those questions are useful feedback for the team. Confidence should come from understanding the individual car and driving within the conditions, not from trying to test its limits on a public road.