Driving on the motorway for the first time can be daunting, and a number of drivers avoid it for as long as possible. This can be for a number of reasons, such as the increased driving speed, the monotony, a lack of experience and confidence and the misconception that motorways are more dangerous than other kinds of roads.
Our top tips
To help you overcome your fear, here are Nayland Driving School’s top motorway driving tips:
Prepare your car
To help you prepare for motorway driving, make sure that your car is ready. A lot of people are scared of breaking down on the motorway – so checking things such as tyre pressure and tread depth, engine oil, lights, brake fluid, windscreen wipers and the coolant level will give you peace of mind.
Think about your speed
Adjusting your speed appropriately for slip roads will help you to feel in control without slowing down the traffic around you. Once you have joined the motorway, be sure to follow the two second rule to ensure that you aren’t too close to the car in front of you. Be sure to always use your mirrors to see what’s going on around you.
Drive in the correct lane
Changing lanes and what lane to travel in can both be a worry to a first-time motorway driver – but there’s nothing to be worried about. Always stick to the left-hand lane unless overtaking. If you are overtaking a number of slower vehicles, you can remain in the middle lane to save you switching back and forth – but you must return to the left once you’re done.
Do your research
One thing that you should always do is read up on the signs that you will come across on the motorway. Some of these you may not have seen before, so if you are still learning to drive, be sure to ask your instructor so that you can be as well-versed as possible in motorway driving rules. As a learner driver, you can drive on motorways so long as you are accompanied by a fully qualified instructor.
Take a break
Last but not least – take breaks! Driving on the motorway can be tiring and monotonous, so it’s recommended that you take a break every two hours into a journey. This will keep you feeling alert and comfortable.
