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

My first motorway experience was the M25 in the rain, between 2 lorries. I have never had a problem joining it from the slip road.

I don't think the M25 is particularly different, it's just very busy.

Something to watch out for. If you overtake a lorry, be prepared for a side wind when you are just past being level with it.

Love how the thread starts off with people merrily telling OP the instructor (who has actually met her and her driving) is just scamming her for money, and then they drop off as the OP actually posts in further detail.

Sure OP, go ahead. It's not like you have any responsibility not to endanger other people's lives or anything.

And with a toddler in the back to distract you?

Just saw your note about avoiding the M25 until you've had some motorway lessons. Please do 💐. Your instructor knows you and that was his advice. People on here telling you to just get on with it have no idea.

When you merge, you can't expect anyone to let you in. There are three lanes. People in the slow lane will try to avoid braking to let you in - they would move into the middle lane if possible. But maybe there's someone in the middle lane. And that person can't move over to the fast lane and someone's coming up that at 100 mph.

So then nobody can move over and let you in. So you either have to jump in - which takes experience and skill - you're judging all speeds, checking all lanes, controlling your car to get up to speed and in the right lane and not disturbing the flow - or you indeed have to stop, if you haven't managed to get in. And then it's really hard to Jon fast flow so you must wait fir a big enough gap and then put your foot down to get up to speed quickly.

There's more - glad you're having the lesson.

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

He knows you and your driving and obviously thinks you need it, please take his advice! He may not need to suggest this "strongly" to his other trainees. Your updates had me seriously worried! Not just for you, and your 2 year old, but for everyone else on the road at the same time as you as you sound completely clueless to be honest. You need practice before you even attempt this!!

The reason I went from a non driver to passing first time, to driving to France in 4 months was confidence. At no point did it ever occur to me that I couldnt! If the arseholes on the road can pass and drive then why cant I?

Dont let whoever is knocking you drag you down. Go for it, you'll be grand :)

In the kindest way, the fact you are expecting to rely completely on Satnav and aren't sure how motorways work tells me you're not ready to drive on one.

Also a bit at your question about whether it's possible to get where you want to go without going on a motorway. Er... yes, of course it is!

@Longdistance

not killed anyone yet after 25years driving 🤷🏼‍♀️

Marvellous. Well done. But over 2,500 people have been killed on motorways in Great Britain in that period, and a staggering >47,000 on all types of road. In fact, that's just the data stretching back to the year 2000, so the actual numbers are higher.

But if you think the OP's going to overcome her lack of competence by following a few tips from people on Mumsnet, who am I to disagree.

Crack on, OP - @Longdistance says "You’ll be fine 🚗 💨" and she's not killed anybody yet so she should know!

I am going to suggest that as you are asking about it, you are nervous about it.
Please get someone to sig with you while you motorway drive for the first time, they are scary and fast.
I've been driving 24 years now and have covered hundreds of thousands of miles up and down the UK motorway network, but I've never forgotten the first time I got on the M1 and almost shat when I realised how fast and busy it was.
Luckily I had DF next to me, who also just about what himself, but it was ok.

If the arseholes on the road can pass and drive then why cant I?

Honestly, I feel the problem of the existing arseholes on the road is only going to be exacerbated by encouraging complete novices on to the roads.

I had a motorway lesson - out of Liverpool on the M62, onto the M6 and then back into Liverpool on the M55. The M6 felt terrifying (I think I announced at the top of the slip road “Jesus Christ I’m not going down there!”) because it was crowded and everything happens so fast but I got the hang of it.

Doing it with an instructor or someone experienced that won’t panic and freak you out is a good idea for your first time, I would recommend it. You have to be looking and planning further afield on the motorway - it’s a different skill set, and a different sort of spatial awareness. You get used to it quite quickly - I was fine after my lesson - but I’d imagine a bad experience would really knock your confidence.
The M25 is VERY busy (although I’d say it’s got nothing on the M8 through Glasgow for OMG we’re all going to die cars coming at you from all directions terror - the junctions are really close together on the M8). Because it’s so busy jams can build up very quickly for no apparent reason so you have to keep your wits about you, so you don’t run into the back of them. I’d definitely avoid a distraction like a toddler in the back seat until you’ve had a couple of goes to get the feel of it.

Missing my point @PotholeParadise

I was, and am, a good driver. I passed after 15 hours of lessons with 2 minors. Because it never crossed my mind that it would be hard to do. And it wasnt. If I was to do it now, 20 years later, I would be very nervous and probably fail and be a terrible driver. I have had no convictions, no speeding etc and the only accidents I have had (two) were not my fault.... one driven off the road by a lorry driver who lost his license as a result and one being rear ended by a woman who was using her phone.

I would really recommend motorway driving lessons. A lot of people drive very badly on the motorways. I was so glad I did advanced lessons and motorway lessons.

To clarify again, I will be taking a lesson on motorway. Can I use my own car or will the instructor want to use his since that she dual controls?

I'm interested to know what a journey from Bedfordshire to Essex is like without a motorway. It's very possible and only 25 mins longer - Do you just go around loads of side roads?!

I'd definitely want a bit of solo practice before attempting the m25 with a toddler. I didn't have motorway lessons, but had lots of practice on dual carriageways and slip roads, remember vividly being on the M25, needing to join the m3 but my lane was crawling and the lane I needed to get to was moving really fast, I didn't know what to do.. I eventually worked out I had to slow down/stop and wait for a gap.
The thing with the M25 is that its busy, everyone is in a rush, you frequently have to change lanes, theres a lot of hgvs. It's fine, but you need to concentrate and when you've just passed its exhausting.

Pyongyong

Not everything in the world should be solved by just barrelling through it without fear. It worked out for you? Great.

What about all the definite arseholes that the same method produces? There's lots of 'em.

Are you volunteering to be on the road with the OP? There is a risk she may plough into you while checking at her satnav to see if she's supposed to change motorway lanes.

I’m always shocked at threads like these. A poster comes on to say they’re scared, nervous, hesitant, unsure as to what they should do when driving, some admitting they’re a crap driver and quite frankly sounding like an accident waiting to happen. Only to get hoards of MNers cheering them on, telling them they’ll be fine, encouraging them to just get behind the wheel and do it.

Thank God there are some wise posters on here who advise caution and give sensible advice. I can only assume that the cheerleaders are equally crap drivers who for some reason fail to understand the enormity of being in charge of a ton of moving lethal metal.

Please take some shorter routes with another driver before venturing out on your own especially with a 2 year old. You're still inexperienced and your child may get upset and distract you. It will only take a few practice runs to get the gist of how motorways work. Many drivers are quite courteous but you still get the odd ones that aren't. Plus you have to be so alert to what others may be doing, they may suddenly pull in front of you without indicating. Just take it easy xx

Alexa

MN- just go for it! Everyone learns to drive after their test, anyway.
Also MN- why are there so many crap drivers around today?

The first time I drove on the motorway I drove from Cardiff to Newcastle. It was totally fine!

@RealPill book a 3 hour lesson and do a dry run of your intended journey. It will be money well spent. I did the pass plus and drove to Heathrow and back via M25.

I hate the M1 south to London, from Luton onwards. There are so many slip roads, roads merging, changes between 3 and 4 lanes, crawler lanes. It's every man for themself and nobody drives in the right bloody lane. Having said that, the inside lane is usually empty so you might be able to cruise down it without making any manoeuvres.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing [] If only I had the courage -stupidy- to slip stream.

*Stupidity

if poss have the child in the back when you have your motorway lesson.
frankly you seem to lack road awareness.
your questions reveal vast swathes of ignorance that could be dangerous.

your question about non=motorway routes is baffling.
good luck. please don't take any chances. you have a child to think of.

When planning a journey involving the m25 Don’t believe the time estimates given on the likes of google maps as they don’t make any allowance for delays caused by the sheer volume of traffic. Only a few weeks ago I sat in traffic for more than an hour on the stretch of the m35 you will be trading down.

M25 not 35