Tips for Driving on the Motorway for New Drivers
Many new drivers state that the motorway is their biggest concern. This is understandable because driving on these roads for the first time can be daunting.
However, the truth is that they are statistically the safest roads in the UK, and they can be easy to drive on once you know how to tackle them properly. Here are some of our tips that will hopefully help you to build confidence when driving on the motorway.
Get Your Car Ready
If you haven’t already got a vehicle of your own before passing your test, it might be worth looking in the used car market, as driving in a car you feel comfortable in can make the world of difference. You will also want to check the vehicle over before leaving the home to ensure that it is in a good condition and safe to travel in. This will include topping up any liquids, inflating the tyres to the correct pressure, testing your lights and checking the tyre tread depth.
Adjust Speed for Slip Roads
Joining the motorway from a slip road is often what causes the most stress. The key is to avoid the temptation of slowing down and instead match the speed of the vehicles in the left-hand lane – you then need to wait for a gap to appear and seamlessly merge with traffic. When exiting, move to the left-hand lane well in advance, indicate at 300 meters and avoid slowing down until you are on the slip road.
Try to Keep to the Left Lane
You should always stick to the left lane unless you are overtaking traffic (and then move back into the left lane). The fast lane does not exist, and it is always best to travel in the left-hand lane so that it is easier to exit when the time comes.
Know the Signs & Signals
You also want to brush up on the Highway Code before driving on the motorway to ensure that you understand all of the signs you may come across. You also want to keep a close eye on the overhead signs, which will display important information, such as temporary speed limits.
Ensure Coverage
Finally, you want to make sure that you have sufficient coverage in place before driving on the motorway (or anywhere else). Obviously, you need to have car insurance as a legal requirement, but you should also have warranty protection in place as well as gap insurance. This will provide financial protection but also reassurance when behind the wheel.
Hopefully, the advice in this post will help you to feel more confident when driving on the motorway. Although it seems intimidating, they are perfectly safe to drive on, and it becomes a lot easier once you have some experience and build up your confidence.
