5 days ago

Essential Summer Driving Tips

Summer can seem like an ideal time to learn to drive; lighter evenings, generally better weather and plenty of opportunities to get some practice in. However, hot and sunny weather creates its own challenges that learners may not have experienced before, and with the 2026 summer heatwave in full swing, it’s more important than ever to take the right precautions.

In this article, we’ll cover the key topics, including:

Keeping yourself cool and comfortable

Preparing for bright and low sun

Checking tyres more regularly

Looking after your engine in hot weather

Preparing for busier and less predictable roads

A full checklist for longer journeys

Keeping yourself cool and comfortable

Being too hot whilst driving can be uncomfortable; sticky seats, sweaty backs, clammy hands – the list goes on. But it’s not just about keeping the sweat at bay. Driving in intense heat can also affect concentration and cognitive performance, making it particularly important for learners, who are already processing lots of information behind the wheel, to try to stay cool. (reference cognitive performance here)

Here are our top tips for keeping cool in the heat:

Cool the car down before you set off: If your car has been sitting in the sun, open the doors or windows for a few minutes before getting in to let some of that trapped hot air escape. You can also use a spray bottle to mist over any areas that are hot to touch, like the steering wheel, gears, handbrake, etc.

Keep water handy: Staying hydrated is important in hot weather, so make sure you’ve got water with you, particularly on longer journeys.

Top tip: double up your water bottle as an ice pack by freezing it the night before!

Make use of the air conditioning: If your car has it, use the air con to keep the temperature comfortable. If you’re not so lucky, make sure to open windows and try to park in the shade where you can. You may also want to look at things like reflective sunshade windshields, cooling towels, and portable fans, all of which you can buy online relatively cheaply.

Dress for the weather: Lightweight, comfortable clothing can make a big difference on hot days. Just remember that whatever you wear – particularly on your feet, shouldn’t affect your ability to safely operate the controls.

Be prepared for bright and low sun

We might not get glorious sunshine all year round here in the UK, but when it does make an appearance, it can bring its own challenges behind the wheel.

Bright sunlight can seriously affect your visibility, particularly early in the morning and later in the evening when the sun sits lower in the sky. John, one of our 5Day instructors, points out that this can be especially tricky when travelling east in the morning or west in the evening, when the sun may be directly in your eyeline.

Sun glare can also reflect off other vehicles, windows and shopfronts, making it harder to see other road users, traffic lights, signs and what’s happening ahead. Oh, and those nice shady parking spots we talked about earlier? They can leave tree sap, insects, and all sorts of debris on your windscreen, which when met with bright sunlight, can make those smears even more noticeable – and potentially make it even harder to see clearly.

So, what can you do to help?

Make use of your sun visor when the sun is sitting directly in your eyeline.

Keep a suitable pair of sunglasses handy for those particularly bright journeys. See legal requirements here

Slow down if your visibility is affected. Don’t be tempted to carry on at the same speed and hope your eyes adjust!

Leave a little extra space between you and the vehicle ahead, giving yourself more time to react if you can’t see as clearly as usual.

Keep your screen wash topped up so you can quickly clear dust, insects and other summer grime.

Give your windscreen a regular clean – inside and out. You’d be surprised how much more noticeable those little smears become when the sun hits them!

Check your wiper blades are in good condition, particularly before longer journeys.

Check your tyres more regularly

Your tyres probably aren’t the first thing that spring to mind when you think of a hot summer’s day (an ice cream, maybe), but they’re definitely something worth keeping an eye on when temperatures rise.

John recommends checking your tyre pressures more frequently during particularly hot weather, and especially before setting off on a longer journey. Incorrect tyre pressure can affect your car’s handling and braking, as well as causing your tyres to wear more quickly.

And no, this isn’t a job for guesswork! The correct pressure varies between vehicles and can also depend on the load you’re carrying, so always check the manufacturer’s recommendation. You’ll usually find this in your vehicle handbook, inside the driver’s door or around the fuel cap, but you can also do a quick check online at https://www.tyresafe.org/.

And while you’re down there…

Make sure to give your tyre tread a quick check too. For cars in the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference.

This is particularly important for learner or newly qualified drivers, as believe it or not, driving with an illegal tyre can result in three penalty points per tyre – and if you reach six points within two years of passing your first driving test, your licence will be revoked.

So, two illegal tyres could undo an awful lot of hard work- getting that licence in the first place! A quick tyre check before you set off is definitely time well spent.

Look after your engine in hot weather

We’ve talked about the importance of keeping yourself cool and comfortable in the heat, but just like us, cars can feel the effects of particularly hot weather, with higher temperatures putting extra strain on certain parts of your vehicle. The last thing you want is to be halfway to the beach, bags packed and playlist on, only to find yourself sitting at the side of the road with an overheated car…

The good news is you don’t need to be a car expert to help prevent it. A few simple checks before you set off – particularly if you’re heading on a longer journey, can go a long way:

Coolant: Check your coolant is at the correct level to help keep your engine from overheating.

Oil: Make sure your oil level is where it should be and top it up if needed.

Screen wash: Keep it topped up – those summer bugs aren’t going anywhere!

Warning lights: Don’t ignore them! If something doesn’t look right on your dashboard, get it checked before heading off.

Fuel or charge: It sounds obvious but make sure you have enough to comfortably get where you’re going, especially if you’re venturing somewhere unfamiliar.

Expect Busier and Less Predictable Roads

With school holidays, family road trips and summer days out in full swing, roads can be a hell of a lot busier at this time of year. You might come across more cyclists and motorcyclists, families and children out walking, or caravans and motorhomes heading off on their summer holidays. And if you’re learning around the coast or countryside, you may also find yourself sharing the road with agricultural vehicles, horses and even the occasional herd of sheep!

The important thing is to expect the unexpected. Keep up those all-important observations, give vulnerable road users plenty of space and be patient around slower-moving vehicles.

And remember, if another driver gets impatient behind you, don’t let them pressure you into rushing or making a decision you’re not comfortable with. Stick to what you’ve been taught and only make a move when you know it’s safe.

Heading somewhere further? Use our checklist to prepare before you leave!

Whether you’re heading off on a summer road trip or simply taking a longer journey than usual, being prepared can help things run a little more smoothly.

Our specialist team here at 5Day have put together a handy checklist of the key things to remember before heading off.

Screenshot it, download it or print it out, and tick things off as you go. Then, all that’s left to do is hit the road!

Enjoy your summer driving!

So, there we have it – everything you need to help you feel a little more prepared for driving this summer.

Whether you’re still learning, practicing with family, or you’ve recently passed and are getting used to driving independently, just remember:

Be prepared – check yourself and your car before longer journeys.

Stay aware – keep an eye on the weather, road conditions and other road users.

Take your time – don’t rush, leave plenty of space and take breaks when you need them.

Keep your cool – literally and figuratively! Stay hydrated, comfortable and calm behind the wheel.

And last but not least… enjoy the experience!

If you’re ready to start your driving journey this summer, explore our intensive driving courses and find a course near you.

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