What an awesome word of wisdom @Barry
Let me try to add some from my experience:
Check your car regularly and get it serviced regularly as per schedule maintenance. Seen a few new drivers buying new cars and getting an oil change at 20k kms resulting in gunk - not an engine oil anymore.
Buy a cheap car in beginning, as no matter how much we tell you about estimates, road rage, no - im not wrong. Time and waiting for cops in 50 degrees + fines will eventually fix this attitude, so you will save your new car after a few scratches or bangs on the used car.
Try to look as much as ahead you can through the car in front, to plan your brakes as the guy in front may not be attentive enough to give you required braking space at high speed.
It's good to be scared in beginning and drive on slow lanes on right then jumping on the left fast lane and getting pressurized and do some stupidity because of speed that reduces your reaction time.
Always add 30 minutes extra to your journey from what google maps says to factor unexpected traffic, finding parking, taking wrong turns etc, so you are prepared for it.