To think I won't kill someone if I drive like this without lessons?

[RealPill]

I passed my test. When I get my car in a few weeks, the first major trip I want to take is from Bedfordshire to Essex. AIBU to think I won't kill someone if I drive on the motorway without any lessons?

My instructor said I should really think carefully before attempting a motorway on my own, and has strongly advised some motorway lessons.

I thought the only tricky thing would be merging on from a slip road... Otherwise should be fine, just follow the SatNav and road signs, and stay in the first lane at 60/65mph.

Maybe I am bonkers... I've spoke to a few friends and they said they just drove on motorways without any lessons for them. But they all passed years ago so maybe things were different

I understand there aren't the usual hazards of build up areas but what sort of puzzles me is people changing lanes and then you having to move over for them, I am a bit confused with that

@Bloodless 45 what?

Get out and practice, you'll be fine. I passed October 2018, was on the motorway the next day, drove to work along the motorway the day after that. I'm much more competent on motorways than my mum who passed her test many many years ago.

Just get an experienced driver to do a motorway practice with you first. When DD and DS both passed, DH took them on a motorway round trip of about 2 hours. They were both shocked how different it was and both were glad of the lesson from DH.

I did a three hour drive with a map for company 2 weeks after passing my test. I went on the m4 instead of the m40 but l went into a petrol station took a deep breath and fixed my mistake. I didn't learn how to drive to get to places l can walk to.

Is it not 45 for first year? Even on motorway? Or am I confused?

Do you mean 45mph?!?!? That would be horrendously dangerous on a motorway!

If it makes any difference, I will have a 2 year old DS in the back... Which makes things more complicated in my eyes. I was much more lax about dying before his arrival

I think it'll be easier than normal driving.. it looks it... it's just the sheer speed people are driving at and the different things you have to do that you don't experience in usual driving lessons

@RealPillIf you stay in that lane and move to and from there to the middle when merging you will be fine. It’s a slower lane generally because of the lorry’s and you are less likely to miss an exit.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing that’s what I was wondering!

I did Pass Plus about 18 years ago. It's not necessary and you sound pretty confident anyway. The instructor gave me some good tips on lane changing, using mirrors etc. It is 'easier' driving than around town, but because of the speeds it's useful to realise where to be looking & thinking down the line. But there's no better way to learn than doing. Best of luck.

@RealPill I guarantee that 70 will feel like 40 in no time

I travelled from Scotland to England 4 days after passing my test (no choice) and my Step dad followed behind. He actually had to give me pointers about where I was going wrong such as when to indicate to change lane, moving over in advance of busy junctions to allow people on from the slip road (yes it's not a rule but motorways would be so much harder if no one did it), not moving over lanes too fast (gradually moving over and not turning too quickly across the lane) and when was best to move over so that I didn't get too close to the cars I was getting in between. All little stuff but it did help me. Given the choice, looking back now I would have preferred just one little motorway lesson. Or at least having an experienced driver in the passenger seat to help me out. It can be quite scary and a mistake on a motorway can potentially be far worse than a little bump and a dent to a bumper.

what's wrong with driving close to 70 if the conditions are right?

Is it not 45 for first year? Even on motorway? Or am I confused?

I've done 60 on quite a few roads (and on test) whilst out normal driving as a learner so definitely not.

I think a few years back, they were going to introduce a motorway bit to the driving exam but stuffed it for some reason

The M25 often has 4 or even 5 lanes, so you have to watch everywhere when changing lanes.

Variable speed limits, average speed limits often occur.

Slip roads are often at a standstill - merging is not easy. People rarely slow down to let you join on the M25.

I don't think you need lessons but I would recommend practicing on a shorter motorway trip first. Also, check out YouTube for videos with tips on motorway driving.

Once you've used the motorway a few times you'll start to feel it's the easiest type of driving.

Children are very distracting if you’re not a confident driver, I’d take someone with me if I was planning that trip.

Is it not 45 for first year? Even on motorway? Or am I confused?

Yes, but only in NI

Is it not 45 for first year? Even on motorway? Or am I confused?

It is Northern Ireland - makes motorway driving "interesting" for the first year

Slip roads are often at a standstill - merging is not easy. People rarely slow down to let you join on the M25.

Oh my Christ! What do I do if I'm going at a speed, matching that of the flowing cars, and nobody lets me in?! Do I just break?

I remember reading a thread on merging and what to do if nobody stops. Everyone was divided between you must stop and you must never stop under any circumstances

Probably most people with a current driving license didn't have motorway lessons with an instructor but it's still a good idea to get advice and do some practice sessions with an experienced driver. It's a bit naive to say the only problem is getting on and you will just stay in slow lane.

My only fear is trying to merge on and someone not letting me in
This worries me. The vehicles on the main carriageway have right of way. When joining a motorway it is up to the vehicle joining to adjust their speed to merge in a suitable gap. Do not expect vehicles to move out or slow down for you . They may but more than likely won't.

Tbh, I’d say the potential distraction of a 2 year old in the back will make it tougher.
Can you guarantee your full concentration the whole time, with the baby screaming/shouting/vomiting/pooing? If you’re distracted when driving at any time, it’s dangerous - but absolutely has the potential to be deadly at high speed.
I’d say practice with a loud noise/shouting in the back, before you attempt a longer motorway journey. Practice on the motorway too, before you put the two together.

Depends really, but for the cost of a lesson, why would you take the risk?

A couple of thoughts though - be sure you know what the transition to the M25 is like, Which direction you want to go as it can be confusing. I think it’s signposted as Dartford/M11, but you need to check.

sat Nav is all good and well, but I have a selection of swear words that are only ever used for that. It’s built in, if it wasn’t it would have been binned by now. I suggest you try getting used to yours using it on familiar routes.

Don’t do it at night.

Motorways are really really variable. Some are like an easy A road. Others are like a day out at Brands Hatch with people who shouldn’t be on tricycles,let alone behind the wheels of cars & trucks. It’s not all about YOUR driving , it’s about being able to deal with the stupid twats the shouldn’t be on our roads.

Oh and for context former wagon driver here and still do silly miles weekly .