Would you drive this far if you had passed your driving test a month ago?

[lalallola]

I passed my test two weeks ago and my friend wants to book a caravan holiday an hour and a half away in a few weeks time. Initially I was up for this before I passed but now I have and driving alone I’ve realised there’s so much more to driving then passing your test! I’ve been to the supermarket, to family’s, etc and to a park 20 minutes away but I feel like it would be reckless to go away so soon. Just wondering if other people thought this was the right decision too? Just to add I have 2 under 2 so obviously instant pressure as I will have the most precious little people in my car at all times. Thanks.

but she didn't want to go on holiday with you before you passed?

So you're her taxi? Fuck that.

I drove from Essex to Inverness a week after passing my test at 18. Guess it depends how confident you feel but an hour and a half isn't far really.

I drove to France from Northern England a month after passing my test. Depends how confident you are.

But don't be used as a taxi.

You won't get better by not driving.

I think the issue is her using you as a taxi. Driving that distance is fine.

I drove 150 miles a couple of weeks after passing. Had 2 year old ds with me. Was fine.

Go for it, it's the best way to really learn. If your DC are the type of kids to sleep for the journey then you'll be absolutely fine.

I wouldn’t have done that - driving is actually really tiring when you’re new to it, I found I needed to build up how long I could drive for over time.

This.

I was doing similar journeys on the M6 within weeks of passing my test.

You have to do what you are comfortable with. How long were you learning? My dd (just 18) drove for almost 3 hours two weeks after her test but she wanted to and felt comfortable to do so. However, she did stop twice and had no pressure on getting somewhere in a certain timeframe.
Everyone has their own tolerance level and ability to drive - I have no problem driving from London to Durham in one go (toilet breaks aside) but I am used to driving that distance every 3 or 4 months and have done so for over 10 years. However, my dh wont drive for more than 4 hours in a day and has to have overnight stay if more than that.
It's tiring driving and especially with kids. Do what you think is right!

another who did a long trip, northern england to holland, a few weeks after passing my test but i felt confident enough to do so. was a little iffy at holland though but chanting "the wrong sides the right side" for a while helped 😂
but everyones different and if youre not up to doing it yet then its safer for you to wait until you are

Sooner the better I say. You need to crack on and do these things. Did the first couple fairly soon after passing with someone with me who could also drive the car if needs be. Have done a few since up to 3hrs alone and now I think nothing of it.

Same with motorways, I refuse to be afraid of them. I didn't spend all that money to pass my test just to go to adi and back.

Presumably she can't drive? I drove from London to Yorkshire the day after I passed but I was with my DH who has been driving years which made me feel more at ease.

I think 1.5 hours is a good distance for practicing longer distances but agree don't let her pressure you into being a taxi.

I drove 2hrs out of London and on my first motorway a few days after passing. Not ideal but we made it.

I would be thinking more about the type of driving than the length. If it’s a road type and driving style that you’re broadly familiar with, that’s ok, but say you’re happy on rural roads but this drive is 4 lane motorway, or the opposite, that wouldn’t work for me.

I think you’d be fine if you wanted to, but not if you don’t want to or don’t feel confident. Only you can judge what’s best for you in this situation.

I drove from Vladivostok to Helsinki three days after I passed but it depends how confident you feel blah blah ...

OP, it doesn't matter what other people do in similar situations. You drive as far (and as fast) as you feel comfortable with. If you're not confident that you'll have the requisite skill and concentration to undertake a particular journey safely, don't do it. You don't need to justify yourself beyond that.

It sounds like you are not confident so just say no for now, and revisit the trip when you feel able.

Keep practicing and keep your skills up. Drive where you can when you can. I bet you'll be amazed at what you feel confidently capable of a few months down the line after doing that. Then you can think again about this trip. Or a different one. It's all good.

Oh, and congratulations on passing!

I started driving from south to north London through the city and back again for work the day after I passed my test. It took me well over an hour each way but it felt wonderful after an almost two hour commute on public transport.

Ds passed his test and went out daily for an hour at a time, all over, just drove wherever including motorways then voice controlled sat nav to direct him home. I think you should push yourself to do this trip, you will be fine and it will give you more confidence in your driving ability. Your instructor wouldn't have put you in for the test if you weren't ready, the examiner said you were a safe driver.

Google maps means you can street view stuff so the entrance to the caravan park or any junctions you might want to look at which may help with the nerves.

It depends on what type of driving eg all motorway or all tiny county lanes?
Also are you familiar with the route?
Can you stop half way if you need to?

Ultimately if you don't feel comfortable, don't do it.

With this being MN this will be full of people who drove from John O Groat's to Cape Town the day after passing their test. However that has nothing to do with what you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel confident then put it off for a couple of months.

Of course! Why wouldn’t you? I drive from Oxford to Chelmsford on the motorways on my first day in my first car when I passed my test. You just have to get on with it!

You will only gain confidence by driving more often and for longer distances.
Tips are to plan your route, get a sat nav if you can, stick to A and B roads as far as possible.
If the route involves a motorway then ask another driver to go with you for a trial run beforehand. Motorways are fine so long as you follow the rules.
Don’t always pick the shortest route, these sometimes take you down narrow one track roads and can be tricky to navigate for an inexperienced driver. If you don’t have sat nav then you can find Route Planners on line.
Give yourself plenty of time to get there, don’t be intimidated by other drivers, you have as much right to be on the road as they are.
An hour and a half isn’t all that long really, it’ll feel like forever at first but once you’ve done it you’ll be fine.

Hmmm
How confident are you, the fact that you're asking suggests not very.
Are you going on the motorway or A roads?
Have you got time to go out for long runs in the car, practice joining and leaving the motorway or getting some speed up on A roads?
It'll be easier if she's in charge of directions and you can concentrate on the road, not looking at the satnav etc.
If it's any help, when I passed my test I nearly killed myself on the first roundabout I went over, I didn't actually realise it was a roundabout!
Then I decided I would go everywhere by turning left (UK) so I didn't have to cross traffic 😂
Now, after lots of experience I drive without thinking

I drove from Kent to Cornwall to Yorkshire and back to Kent on a Bank Holiday weekend about a month after I passed (mid 30s). Finally found fifth gear on the Dartford bridge 😂

As above, totally depends on how confident you feel and what kind of roads you’re talking about.
I found the Pass Plus course really helpful after I passed my test, but I doubt there’ll be time for that before your holiday.
If you decide to go for it, I hope your friend is getting the petrol in.