Nervous about motorway driving

[Abcde0839]

I have had a full driving license for 10 years, I passed my test while pregnant and have barely been on the motorway since. Most of the time I have been the sole carer of young DC and had limited childcare, and I didn’t want to practice motorway driving with them in the car for obvious reasons - but now 10 years have passed, DC in school, and I really want to venture further out!

I’m a confident driver and drive everyday, but my lack of experience on the motorway is making me nervous to start. Mainly about driving at higher speeds than I’m used to, and getting on/off the motorway. Does anyone have any tips, or should I just stop being silly and get on with it?

We just got a new car too instead of an old banger so I don’t really have any excuse. Besides my nerves.

Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks in advance

I think you can do motorway driving lessons to give you some confidence, or ask someone you trust to go with you a few times.

Do some motorway lessons. The junctions are horrible but at least it’ll show you that you CAN do it

Have you been on a duel carriage way?

Thanks, I was thinking of asking my dad or brother (both with loads of experience motorway driving all over the uk) but I feel a bit embarrassed to admit I’m nervous.

Yes, quite often - when I go go further afield I select ‘avoid motorways’ on my navigation and it tends to route me through dual carriageways instead

I’m going to look it up, I didn’t really think of getting lessons - would they be in my own vehicle?

I’m most worried about junctions and silly things like taking the wrong exit. I think I have built it up a bit in my head

Pay for some motorway driving lessons. One of the best things I have ever spent money on

Motorwayscarent really that different to duel carriageways. They just sound scarier.

Definitely get a lesson.

The hardest part of motorways is joining. Once you've done that it's all just going straight ahead which is far less nerve-wracking than a complex and badly signed one-way system in an unfamiliar town where you repeatedly find yourself in the wrong lane.

You don't have to go anywhere near as fast as others. Keep left unless you're overtaking or the rare occasions where the left lane peels off to become an exit.

I prefer motorway driving to any other type, especially in towns not designed with the car in mind.
Lessons sound like a good idea.

If you miss your exit just head to the next one. Give yourself space and time and you will be fine. Get yourself into position at the 1 mile sign / 1/2 mile sign and exiting should be a doddle.

motorways are basically the same as dual carriageways but with another lane or two. Just go for it!

Get refresher lessons, or get a family member to take you out early on a Sunday morning to build up confidence.

If you can drive on dual carriageways you can do motorways. It’s honestly much the same but with extra lanes.

Some practical tips that work for me: don’t feel obligated to go faster than you’re happy with. I usually join, sit in the left hand lane for a little minute and then overtake when I’m ready (if it’s necessary of course)

I like to get into the exit lane by the half mile sign if not before. DH is a last minute lane switcher but I’m happy to be in the correct lane even if it’s a bit slower.

Leave decent gaps to the car ahead, just in case.

Anticipate joiners at the upcoming slip road ahead, lots of checking in advance to see if you can safely move over if you can / need to.

OP it's literally no different to dual carriages. Same slip roads, same types of junction and generally the same speed.

I was nervous too when I first started. I used to pick a buddy to 'follow' - someone not driving very speedily. I changed lanes when they changed lanes (using my own judgment) and just stuck with them. If they exited I chose a new buddy.

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Just get out there when it's quiet and have a practice at joining, getting off at a junction.

It really isn't that scary once you get on there, and if you're a confident driver you should be absolutely fine.

Another one suggesting motorway lessons, I passed in an area without any or dual carriageways and went south to get some motorway lessons after passing and it was really helpful.

Agree doing it at quiet times will be really helpful. Also, if you have a choice of motorways/junctions, see which is likely to be the quietest; I don’t think I’d want to kick off with some of the bigger M1 or M6 junctions.

Oh and always keep in mind that statistically, motorway driving is the safest in terms of accidents and fatalities.

You’ve got this.

I prefer motorways to dual carriageways. My most hated road is a dual carriageway. I find motorway slip roads a lot better than some of the dual carriageways. And easier to move over to let people on.

Plan for your exit in advance as said above.

And it is worth going out for a motorway lesson.

Thank you! 💐

Is early morning at the weekend the quietest time, would you say?

Believe it or not wild orange oil rubbed on your temples can alleviate nerves.

Probably, early on a Sunday

I would think so, depending on the route, but you’ll probably want daylight for your first couple of drives. For building confidence, light/middling traffic is probably better than minimal traffic, so you get to do your manoeuvres with other vehicles around, just not so many that it’s intimidating.

Can I ask re motorway lessons (I'm in exactly the same boat OP, and not even very good re dual carriageways!) - I enquired about them before and the instructor said because I had a full licence he couldn't take me out in a dual control car. However since then a friend who has never driven since passing 30 years ago has started taking lessons and they are in a dual control car! Was this instructor just fobbing me off?