If you are a new driver and have just passed your test, then you may be itching to get out and drive. However, you may also be a little bit nervous and one of the things that many new drivers are concerned about is driving on the motorway.
Although the speed at which they move and the fact that they are busy may seem scary, motorways are statistically the safest type of road in the UK. Most new drivers will not have had a great deal of motorway driving experience either, if any. Although since 2018 learner drivers have been allowed to use the motorway when with an instructor, they are not part of driving tests, so it is unlikely that you will spend much time on the motorway in your lessons.
If you are concerned, here are some tips to make your first motorway drive a good one…
Check Your Car – Before you set off on a motorway journey, it is always a good idea to check your car to make sure that there isn’t anything that could potentially go wrong. Check things like the tyres, the oil and water levels and the lights to reduce the risk of something going wrong with your vehicle.
Familiarise Yourself – Being familiar with the signals, signs and things that you might see on the motorway will give you more confidence to drive on it. From smart motorways to vehicle chevrons like these chevron kits www.vehiclechevrons.com being aware of the things that you might need to look out for when driving on the motorway means that you can drive safely and confidently.
Plan the Route – It can be helpful to plan your route before you begin. Having Google maps nowadays makes this much easier, and you can use it to look at where you will be going and where you need to get on and off the motorway.
Take a Pass Plus Course – Another way to improve your motorway driving skills and confidence is to take a pass plus course. These are lessons that you take after you have passed your test, which covers some of the more challenging aspects of driving as well as giving you more experience in situations that you may not have come across much or at all.