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Glam Ledger

How can I improve my motorway driving?

Author

James Williams

Published Apr 26, 2026

Here are our top tips for tackling motorway driving.
  1. Take someone with you.
  2. Match your speed when joining a motorway.
  3. Make the most of your mirrors.
  4. Stick to the speed limit.
  5. Overtake correctly.
  6. Keep your distance.
  7. Take a break.
  8. Use your hazards.

Moreover, how do I get over my fear of motorway driving?

Relaxation techniques

  1. Start by taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
  2. Breathe in gently and regularly, it's important not to force the breath.
  3. Then, without pausing or holding your breath, let it flow out gently, counting from one to five again – if you find the counting helpful.

Secondly, can new drivers go on motorway? As long as you have passed your test, you are allowed on a motorway. There are no laws against it. However, driving on the motorway can be a daunting task, especially if you have only just passed your test.

Also question is, is it hard to drive on the motorway?

If you're about to drive on the motorway for the first time, you might be feeling a little daunted. It might surprise you, but motorways are actually the safest roads to drive on. It's the speed you're travelling at that makes all the difference between safe and unsafe motorway driving.

How do you use a motorway?

Motorways can have two, three or even four lanes.

  1. A two-lane motorway - keep to the left-hand lane for normal driving. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking.
  2. Three-lane motorway - you should stay in the left-hand lane unless you need to overtake slower moving traffic.
  3. Changing Lanes and Overtaking on a Motorway:

Related Question Answers

Why am I suddenly scared of driving?

A simple driving phobia may be caused by different factors, including: Bad Experience: If you have been in a car accident, you may be at elevated risk for developing a fear of driving. Other potential triggers include driving through a major storm, getting lost, being pulled over or driving in unusually heavy traffic.

What causes fear of driving?

The first and most common cause of a fear of driving is traffic accidents. These situations cause PTSD driving phobia, where the fear develops in response to a traumatic event.

How can I gain confidence in driving?

15 tips to help you become a more confident driver
  1. Remember, confidence comes with time.
  2. Practice, practice, practice.
  3. Know your route.
  4. Know where everything is in your car and how it works.
  5. Go out on your own.
  6. Force yourself to drive somewhere new.
  7. Don't worry about other drivers.
  8. Stick to the speed limit.

How Slow Can You drive on the motorway?

Such drivers may tend to drive a little slower than the maximum speed limit of 70 mph. Anywhere between 50 mph and 70 mph is acceptable although any slower, you would yourself become a hazard and increase the potential of being involved in an accident or creating an accident for others.

What speed should you drive on a motorway?

70 mph

What speed should you join a motorway?

Get up to a speed that means that you'll integrate well into the rest of the traffic. This is often around 50-60 mph, but can be up to 70 mph (national speed limit), or slower if there is traffic or nearby roadworks. Make sure you indicate to show your intention to join the motorway.

Who has priority when joining a motorway?

Ultimately, it is up to the vehicle joining the motorway to give way, if necessary, and filter on without causing any trouble. The Highway Code says that traffic joining the motorway should 'give priority to traffic already on the motorway' and 'adjust speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane'.

Which is the safest lane on a motorway?

GEM's 10 tips for safer motorway driving Choose a safe speed and use the left-hand lane of the motorway unless you are overtaking.

How do I join a busy motorway?

Slip roads allow you to join a motorway or dual carriageway.
  1. Use the slip road to accelerate until your speed matches that of the traffic on the motorway.
  2. Check there's a suitable gap in the left-hand lane.
  3. Use the Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre/Position – Speed – Look (MSM/PSL) routine before you merge onto the motorway.

Is motorway driving good for a car?

The answer is highway driving. While it might seem like the low speeds and occasional idling associated with city driving are easier on a car than high-velocity highway travel, the truth is exactly the opposite. The result is that a city-driven car's engine is constantly working, as are the brakes and the transmission.

When should you join a motorway?

Joining the motorway.
  1. give priority to traffic already on the motorway.
  2. check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane.
  3. not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder.
  4. stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway.

What should you do immediately after joining a motorway?

What should you do immediately after joining a motorway? What should you do immediately after joining a motorway?
  1. Possible answers:
  2. A. Try to overtake.
  3. B. Adjust your mirrors.
  4. C. Position your vehicle in the centre lane.
  5. D. Keep in the left-hand lane.

What are the 3 lanes on a motorway called?

Motorways typically have three lanes: Lane one – the left lane – is for routine driving. Lane two – the middle lane – and lane three – the right-hand lane – are for overtaking.

Can I drive on motorway with P plates?

Can you use P plates on the motorway? Yes, you can use P plates on all types of roads, including the motorway. They will mean other drivers give you more room and time to make decisions, which can be valuable on your first few times driving in unfamiliar territory.

Can you drive on motorway with R plates?

Yes, it does. No it doesn't. 'L' plates aren't allowed on motorways. 'R' plates are perfectly fine, as long as they stay at 45mph.

What do I need to know before driving on a motorway?

Motorway driving tips for new drivers Make sure your car is safe to drivecheck your oil levels, brakes, tyre pressures and windscreen wash fluid. Consider bringing along a more experienced driver such as a friend, parent or other relative for reassurance, if you feel uncomfortable.

What speed can an R driver do on the motorway?

45 mph

Can you drive on the motorway once you've passed your test?

As long as you have passed your test, you are allowed on a motorway. There are no laws against it. However, driving on the motorway can be a daunting task, especially if you have only just passed your test. Therefore, it's important that you are clued up before you get out there.

When driving on a motorway What should a driver do?

Stop on the hard shoulder, switch on their hazard lights and reverse back to the desired exit. Cross to the opposite side of the motorway when there is a suitable gap in the oncoming traffic.

Can you overtake on a slip road?

If the slip road has two lanes then one of them is for overtaking.

Do you need motorway lessons?

If you opt not to take motorway lessons, you'll lack the skills you need to safely drive on motorways. With the support of your instructor, you'll be able to build up a practical understanding of driving on motorways safely. Eventually, you'll be able to tackle them unsupervised once you've passed your practical test.

Can you stay in the middle lane on a motorway?

Middle lane hogging happens when a driver ignores part 264 of the Highway Code (read above!) and stays in the middle lane on a motorway for longer than they need to, and not moving back over to the left when it is clear. This includes driving in the middle lane when there are no cars to overtake on the left.

How do I leave a motorway?

When you want to leave the motorway, use your mirrors, make your signal left, usually at the first marker (300 yards) to alert the other traffic of your plans to leave the motorway, and exit the slip road. You will see somewhere towards the end of the slip road an end-of-the-motorway rules sign.

How should you use the lanes on a motorway?

Motorways can have two, three or even four lanes.
  1. A two-lane motorway - keep to the left-hand lane for normal driving. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking.
  2. Three-lane motorway - you should stay in the left-hand lane unless you need to overtake slower moving traffic.
  3. Changing Lanes and Overtaking on a Motorway:

Which is the fast lane on a motorway?

left lane

How many lanes are there on a motorway?

four lanes

What is the speed limit in the middle lane of a motorway?

All lanes have a speed limit of 70mph unless otherwise indicated. Motorways typically have three lanes: Lane one – the left lane – is for routine driving. Lane two – the middle lane – and lane three – the right-hand lane – are for overtaking.