To think DD can't drive to Wales yet (18 and passed her test last month)?

[HaHaItsRosa]

We live in London. DD, has randomly booked this little cabin thing in Wales!? It's for tomorrow. Plans on leaving tonight and staying in a Travelodge or similar and then arriving tomorrow. This is her first ever trip away on her own... she also only drives to work. She starts uni extremely soon and "wanted a peaceful getaway before it starts". I'm a bit hmm. I know she's 18 and she can go on her own and she's obviously no longer my daughter so I shouldn't worry about her no but seriously, I'm really worried. She's a sensible girl, she really is, but Wales!!!! Tell me I'm too involved and she'll be fine.

Get her to look on Google Earth for what happens at the junction she comes off the motorway, any major junctions and the last bit till she gets there. Then with a sat nav on her phone it'll be familiar.

Has she done fast 3 lane A roads before or slow moving ones? If she's used to fast ones then there is little difference. Having said that, there are differences so she should get out her Highway Code and check them. I'd suggest having a chat with her about how many times she's stop, signs of tiredness and that sort of thing as it is a long way to go. Also, what are her main junctions? It's easier to have an idea in your head of "I'll come off the M25 at junc X and join the M?" than be completely dependent on sat nav.
I'd also try & have a bright & breezy chat with her about if she happens to meet up with someone.
And then wave her off with a big smile.
It's very easy for me to say all of this as my eldest is 8, is delightful and isn't going to be allowed to get any older!

She has a satnav on her phone and breakdown cover.

I'm not concerned that Wales is a terrible place for her to be going! It's just a long way!

I know how hard it is when they do their first long drive after passing their test, but you just have to grit your teeth and go with it.

I used to just tell myself that it was better than them getting into the car of a friend - at least you know and trust her good sense.

And I would also not be worried that she might be meeting someone - she is an adult, and it is allowed!

But she's not really wrong about the motorway being similar to a three lane A road, is she? If anything, it's safer because there are fewer junctions, and I assume she knows to keep to the left hand lane as much as possible. Can one of you take her out for a practice on the motorway today?

I drove to the seaside just for the day with friends very shortly after passing my test. I lived near a town as far away from the sea as you can get. I was in a clapped out old car pre mobiles or power steering. We were all fine.

M1 to Powys?

One of the first times I ever did motorway driving by myself was from North Wales back down to Essex when I was 18 It was back in the days when texting was allowed and I had to text my mum to ask her if I needed to get on the M6 North or M6 South!!

She will be fine - I too would rather drive on the motorway than in London. If she can cope with Dagenham, then she will be fine! I also think it is a lovely thing fo rher to do and wish I had done more of it at her age. I wish I could do more of it at my age but I'm 30 with responsibilities

I was 17 btw.

Just seen about the satnav on her phone. Is there anyway for her to borrow an actual satnav so she isn't tempted to try and mess about on her phone? That's what would worry more than the motorway driving tbh

The day I passed my driving test I had to drive an hour on the motorway to get home.

The next day I drove from the Midlands to pick up friends in Essex and Surrey to go down to the south coast - a few days after being down south I drove us to Cardiff.

I was so excited to get my licence driving 10 hours was exciting and fun - only a little stressful on the M25 but we all survived.

I don't think my parents knew about it until we checked in on facebook. Your daughter will be fine - soon she'll be off at university and then you won't have a clue what she's up to. If you're so protective i'm surprised she's even told you.

She'll be fine.

Please don't tell her you're this concerned and freaked out. Just don't.

She has a thing that holds the phone to the screen, it what me and DH use and is like a satnav.

Apparently her instructor, you know the bloke qualified to assess her driving 🙄

Powys is lovely.

DS passed his driving test 18 months' ago & still hasn't driven on a motorway. It's becoming habit of a psychological issue now. I wish he had done it straight after his test like your DD.

She should be fine. Great to encourage her self confidence.

wales is gorgeous and it seems like a great idea. Id be proud of her for thinking of that at organising it all herself. Good life skills.

She'll be fine. If you live in London I can guarantee that's the scariest part of the journey.

I did it the other way round about 2 months after passing my test. I was driving an hour plus after 3 days.

She will be fine. Let her go.

I know this is irrelevant but I'm also a bit at spend a few hundred pounds + I assume food and other stuff while she is there (petrol for 1) just before uni she has been saving for so long! So I am definitely proud of her, that's a bit disappointing.

I was also at "bloke" - her instructor was female and so are many, many others!

Op

I would worry about the journey for sure. It’s a long way for a new driver. I’m sure will be absolutely fine though.

I’d be much more anxious about my 18 year old goinfto university but the type of person who who books herself a quiet cabin all on own. She is in all likelihood going to struggle to adapt.

I think you should be proud to have raised a child who at the age of 18 has the confidence to take herself on a mini break alone.

Having read the thread about an adult women being unable to enter a restaurant alone confidence and independence are some of the best things a women can have as it makes you less dependent on others and more likely to live a fulfilled life.

Perhaps just make it clear to her that if anything goes wrong you will be there for her in a non judgemental and non angry way.

I would be worrying, too OP.

But in the end you just have to give her all the advice you can and let her build her own experience.

I would encourage her to leave as early as possible and not drive in the dark.

And go slow on the motorway and only overtake when there is nothing for miles in the lane to her Right. It takes up a bit of time to judge speed, timing and engine / acceleration strength. Observe stopping distances, and then some.

When do you think she would be ready? You only get it when you do it. She is 18. She’ll have a fabulous times

The route from London to Wales is pretty straightforward. I drive it regularly. Don't worry.

Not drive in the dark? Hilarious.

I drove to Wales from Cheshire a month or so after passing my test. I hadn't had motorway lessons and it was fine.

You've got time to review the principles of motorway driving with her now - have a look for a YouTube vid and sit and go through it with her, especially getting on to the motorway as that is the "tricky" bit for new drivers.