5 Safety Tips for Off-Roading Girls + First Trip Nerves

If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel before your first off-road trip with your heart racing just a little.. I get it. When I first took my Jimny out on the tracks, I was equal parts excited and nervous. I didn’t want to be that girl who got bogged or slowed the group down (yup have been there both times now). But the truth is, everyone starts somewhere and that first drive taught me more than I expected.

Those early nerves? Completely normal. What matters is turning them into confidence and that comes from being prepared, learning as you go, and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up on (and off) the tracks. (Check out our next Girls Adventure Day)

Here are five safety tips to help you tackle your first few off-road trips with confidence.

1. Know Your Vehicle

Before hitting the dirt, get to know your setup inside and out. Learn how to engage 4WD, where your recovery points are, and how tyre pressure changes affect grip and comfort. The better you understand how your vehicle works, the more confident you’ll feel when things get a little tricky.

2. Check Conditions Before You Go

Always research your destination and track conditions. Look up recent weather, closures, and difficulty ratings a bit of prep can save you from surprises. Remember, the same track can feel completely different after rain, so plan for the conditions, not just the location.

3. Travel With Recovery Gear

Even seasoned off-roaders get stuck now and then it’s part of the adventure. Make sure you have recovery boards, a snatch strap, shovel, rated shackles, and an air compressor on hand. More importantly, know how to use them safely. Having the right gear (and the confidence to use it) changes everything when the tracks get challenging.

4. Communication is Confidence

Whether you’re driving solo or in a convoy, having a UHF radio is a total game changer for safety and confidence.

If you’re off-roading alone and lose phone reception, your UHF can be a lifeline allowing you to call for help, reach nearby drivers, or simply check in if something goes wrong. It’s peace of mind knowing you’re never completely out of reach. 

When you’re in a group, UHF comms make the experience smoother and more fun. You can call out obstacles, signal when it’s safe to move, or guide each other through tough sections. Good communication keeps everyone safe and makes you feel more connected on the tracks.

The more you use your UHF, the more natural it becomes and before long, you’ll wonder how you ever drove without it.

5. Start Easy and Build Confidence

Choose beginner-friendly tracks and work your way up as your skills grow. Learn how your car reacts on sand, rocks, and mud before pushing yourself onto tougher terrain. Every trip teaches you something new and every challenge you overcome becomes proof that you can handle the next one.

Final Thoughts

If your hands are a little shaky before your first off-road trip that’s okay. Every confident off-roader has been there. The key is to start, learn, and keep showing up.

Her Jimny taught me that confidence isn’t something you start with it’s something you build, one track at a time.

At Her Trax, that’s what we’re all about helping women feel capable, empowered, and ready to take on whatever the tracks throw their way - Paris xx