The Top 7 Mistakes New Drivers Make in Georgia (And How to Avoid Them)

Learning to drive is an exciting rite of passage, but it also comes with serious responsibility. As a new driver, you’re navigating unfamiliar rules, new environments, and the pressure to get it right. The reality? New drivers make mistakes—and that’s okay, as long as they learn from them.

At Kennesaw Driving School, we’ve helped hundreds of new drivers in Kennesaw, Canton, and throughout Georgia develop safe driving habits and avoid the most common pitfalls. This guide will walk you through the 7 biggest mistakes new drivers make—and more importantly, how to avoid them so you can build confidence and stay safe on the road.

Mistake #1: Not Coming to a Complete Stop

🚫 The Mistake:

Rolling stops at stop signs or red lights.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Failing to come to a complete stop is not only illegal—it’s a major cause of crashes at intersections. Rolling stops reduce visibility and reaction time, especially when other vehicles or pedestrians are involved.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Always come to a full stop behind the white line.

• Count one Mississippi… two Mississippi before moving forward.

• Check for cross traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

💡 Pro Tip: Georgia law requires that you stop at the designated line, not in the middle of the intersection. Practicing this consistently builds muscle memory and helps you pass your road test.

Mistake #2: Failing to Check Blind Spots

🚫 The Mistake:

Relying only on mirrors when changing lanes.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Blind spots are areas your mirrors can’t see. Failing to check them puts you at risk of sideswiping another vehicle or cutting off a motorcycle.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Before any lane change or merge, turn your head and quickly glance over your shoulder.

• Adjust your mirrors properly to minimize blind spots.

• Be extra careful around large vehicles, like trucks or buses, which have wider blind spots.

💡 Practice Tip: During lessons, we have students physically point to their blind spot area to build awareness and consistency in checking it.

Mistake #3: Driving Too Fast—or Too Slow

🚫 The Mistake:

Speeding out of nervousness or driving well below the speed limit.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes. Driving too slowly can be just as hazardous, especially on highways, as it disrupts traffic flow and may lead to rear-end collisions.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Know the speed limit and adjust for road, weather, and traffic conditions.

• Use your speedometer as a guide—don’t guess.

• In unfamiliar areas, it’s okay to go slightly below the limit—but not too slow.

💡 Georgia Tip: In Georgia, driving below the minimum speed limit without a valid reason is a traffic violation. Confidence comes with time—don’t force speed, but also don’t hesitate dangerously.

Mistake #4: Overusing or Forgetting Turn Signals

🚫 The Mistake:

Either forgetting to signal altogether or leaving the signal on for too long.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Turn signals are your primary way of communicating with other drivers. Misusing them leads to confusion and potential collisions.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Always signal at least 100 feet before turning.

• Check that the signal has turned off automatically—if not, manually switch it off.

• Use signals when changing lanes, merging, parking, or exiting.

💡 Pro Tip: Make it a habit—even in empty parking lots—so it becomes second nature.

Mistake #5: Not Understanding Right-of-Way Rules

🚫 The Mistake:

Hesitating at 4-way stops or assuming others will yield.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Right-of-way confusion can lead to accidents, especially at intersections or when turning left across traffic.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• At 4-way stops, the driver who arrives first goes first.

• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way.

• Yield to pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles—always.

💡 Georgia Tip: At T-intersections, vehicles on the through road have the right of way. We teach this using real-life examples on local roads in Kennesaw and Canton.

Mistake #6: Getting Distracted Behind the Wheel

🚫 The Mistake:

Texting, talking to friends, adjusting music, eating—distractions are endless.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Distraction takes your eyes, hands, and mind off driving. Even two seconds of inattention can result in a crash.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Turn your phone off or use Do Not Disturb While Driving mode.

• Keep music volume low and avoid complex playlists.

• Finish eating or grooming before getting in the car.

• Don’t drive with too many passengers—especially for new teen drivers.

💡 Georgia Law: The Hands-Free Georgia Act makes it illegal to hold or use your phone while driving. At Kennesaw Driving School, we emphasize distraction-free driving in every lesson.

Mistake #7: Not Practicing Enough Before the Road Test

🚫 The Mistake:

Rushing to take the test with minimal practice hours.

📍 Why It’s Dangerous:

Inadequate preparation leads to poor decision-making, nervous mistakes, and a higher chance of failing the test—or worse, causing an accident afterward.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Complete at least 40 supervised driving hours, including 6 at night (required by Georgia law).

• Practice in a variety of conditions: night, rain, traffic, and on the highway.

• Take mock tests with your instructor to simulate the exam.

💡 Pro Tip: At Kennesaw Driving School, we offer road test readiness evaluations so you know exactly what to expect and what to work on before the big day.

Bonus: Local Driving Tips for Georgia Beginners

Driving in Georgia has its own set of challenges—here are some quick tips:

• Watch for school zones—especially in Cobb and Cherokee Counties. These zones have strict speed limits and hefty fines.

• Be cautious on rural roads—you’ll encounter blind turns, slow tractors, and animals.

• Understand the Super Speeder Law—driving 75+ mph on a 2-lane road or 85+ mph on any road adds a $200 fine on top of your ticket.

• Plan for Atlanta traffic—if you’re heading into the city, leave early, and stay calm in heavy congestion.

How Kennesaw Driving School Helps New Drivers Succeed

We understand that learning to drive can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer:

✅ One-on-one driving lessons tailored to your pace
✅ Defensive driving training to avoid crashes
✅ Road test prep to help you pass the first time
✅ Driving logs and documentation for Joshua’s Law
✅ Patient, certified instructors who build confidence

Serving Kennesaw, Canton, Marietta, and surrounding areas, we specialize in turning nervous beginners into safe, skilled drivers.

Final Thoughts: Learn From Mistakes—Before You Make Them

The best drivers aren’t perfect—they’re prepared. By understanding these 7 common mistakes and how to avoid them, you’ll feel more confident, stay safer, and build good habits from day one.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve, Kennesaw Driving School is here to guide you every step of the way.

🚗 Ready to become a confident, responsible driver in Georgia?
Contact us today to book your first lesson or schedule a road test evaluation.