Lessons on the motorway

magochre

Hi,

I'm toying with the idea of getting a few lessons on the motorway with a qualified instrutorat some point in the future. First, is this a feasible thing to do? Will an ADI instructor take someone on the motorway (I have my full licence now)? Has anyone else done this or heard of the likes?

I could ask my partner but his 'EEEEUUEEW' and 'JEEEZ' reactions to anything he perceives as dodgy driving by me is unnerving at the best of times. And the relationship is a good one so there's no reason to put it at risk.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

sentient_6

I dont see the point. Drive at the speed limit. Keep left. Mirrors & indicate to overtake. Mirrors & indicate to move back. Keep a good distance between yourself & the car in front. You say you've already a full licence? Get yourself a copy of roadcraft & try applying what it says in there. If you take on board what it says to your driving in general then motorway driving won't be any bother.

Axe Rake

When you are checking mirrors and preparing to overtake, don't forget to check your blind spot. Otherwise sentient has it covered.

spurious

I know of a company that offer a two session specialised motorway lesson, covering joining and leaving motorways etc.

Had I passed the test last time, I had intended to take the lessons, but alas, I apparently have developed a lack of progress habit, undiagnosed in the previous two tests.

PM me if you want the company's website.

MascotDec85

If a pupil wanted to go on a motorway lesson after passing their test I would do that no problem. It can be very worthwhile.

magochre

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, opinions and info.

I'm still leaning towards it being a worthwhile thing to do. It's well and good knowing it in theory and I know I'd eventually get the hang of it (if I survived my first outing) but initial nerves and fears could be greatly eased by having a trained person guiding me and showing me the ropes.

Thanks again

Del2005

magochre wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, opinions and info.

I'm still leaning towards it being a worthwhile thing to do. It's well and good knowing it in theory and I know I'd eventually get the hang of it (if I survived my first outing) but initial nerves and fears could be greatly eased by having a trained person guiding me and showing me the ropes.

Thanks again

There's no harm in getting lessons on a motorway if they'll make you fell more confident. I can't see any reason why an ADI would refuse to do this especially if they've already thought you how to drive pass the test and now you actually want to learn to drive.

At least you'll be one of the few people who actually know how to drive correctly on a motorway.

MascotDec85

Del2005 wrote: »

There's no harm in getting lessons on a motorway if they'll make you fell more confident. I can't see any reason why an ADI would refuse to do this especially if they've already thought you how to drive pass the test and now you actually want to learn to drive.

At least you'll be one of the few people who actually know how to drive correctly on a motorway.

Most ADI's, if given the chance i.e. time to spend with a pupil will teach then to drive as opposed to teaching them to pass the test. It's down to when the pupils come to us.

**Timbuk2**

OP, I know you haven't passed your test yet.

When you do pass, you will probably be aprehensive about going on the motorway, like I was.

However, you'll soon find that driving on the motorway is not actually that difficult. It's important not to go too slow on a motorway. 100km/h may feel 'fast enough' to a beginner but it's more dangerous than going 120km/h (of course, if the conditions allow - I wouldn't be ploughing along at 120km/h in this weather!).

It's also very important to know what's happening all around you at all times. Motorways are not necessarily dangerous because of their high speeds, in theory (as in the number of deaths on a motorway is low) but this is because accidents don't happen often - when they do happen, they are often quite serious. If you know what's around you, at all times, you will be surprised how easy it is to read traffic. I can nearly always tell when somebody is going to change lanes well before they actually signal and/or move.

Another important factor is scanning well ahead. Looking only as far as 3 cars ahead of you is a bad, bad idea. You should be scanning well ahead - look for potential hazards - e.g. are those brakelights way up ahead?

Joining a motorway is perhaps the most difficult aspect, (which might be suggested by a thread I started here a few weeks ago asking for tips in this area) but I have since realised that practice makes perfect here. Once you match the speed of traffic on the motorway, merging is actually quite easy.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that on the motorway, you tend to be looking at the same 'sight' (more or less) for possibly hours on end. It is quite easy to lose concentration. You musn't let this happen - do what I do and force myself to keep identifying potential hazards ahead and behind.

I too considered getting motorway lessons. However, I would only be interested in doing it in Dublin, where the real busy motorways are (well the M50), as I have never driven on a heavily congested motorway before - that would be a challenge. I think that a lesson on a quiet enough motorway would be a bit of a waste, as not a lot is being done. I suppose I could leave and rejoin and every exit, but that's a bit manic :P

Leaving the motorway is quite easy. The only thing I would say is that because you have been travelling at such a high speed for so long (and it doesn't feel like you are travelling overly fast on a motorway as it's such a big road), that your perception of speed might be a bit confused at first. This is easily remedied by regularly checking your speedometer as you are decelerating coming off the motorway. Otherwise, what feels like 'slow' to you may not be 'slow' enough for that upcoming roundabout :P

magochre

Thanks again for responding.

I actually have passed my test and very pleased I am too . I'm just very conscious that a piece of paper saying you can drive is still in the very early stages of the process when you consider people have 20 years plus experience and I have only 10 months ( three weeks or so of that as a 'competent' driver).

A few points made are very relevant. I agree that while I passed I'm an inexperienced driver and only continued dedicated practice and time will bring experience and skill.

But my instructors were excellent and taught me to drive, sure with a view to passing the test, but they were responsible people (one was an ex tester) and were careful to impart the skills of safe driving over simply handing me tips to getting through the 40 mins with the examiner. After that it's up to me to build on that, it's impossible for them to teach me or give me experience.

One instructor was very frustrated by the fact that he couldn't take me on the motorway, he considered it ludicrous that once I had my licence I could hightail it down the M50 never having been on it before. But they're the rules.

I'm delighted to hear instructors are willing to give those lessons after someone has received their full licence, though it would even be better if they were allowed incorporate motorways pretest.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Victoria.

When I passed my test I was the same. I had to drive on the motorway to get to school everyday because I was sick of being kicked off the main road when it became motorway and going through towns taking twice as long to get to my destination. The bit that scared me the most was merging onto the road in front of cars doing upwards of 100km/h and the first few times I was pretty nervous but then I got the hang of it and I'm still alive a year later Good luck and if you feel that a lesson or two with your instructor would be beneficial then go for it.

**Timbuk2**

Oh sorry magochre, not sure why I thought you haven't passed your test yet - got a bit confused there! Congratulations!

I agree that it's a bit silly that we are banned from going on a motorway when on a LP, but once we passed out test, we can drive unaccompanied on the motorway without necessarily having a clue how to do so.

I know there's an argument about how motorway driving shouldn't be part of the test because not all test centres are near a motorway (e.g. in Donegal), but I think those test centres that are near a motorway should include motorway driving on the test (e.g. Dundalk) even if it means increased cost. I can't see how it would lead to a disproportionate fail rate, once you are taught correctly how to use a motorway it's not difficult to do so.

magochre

No need to apologise Timbuk2,

I'm asking a lot of questions despite passing because realistically I'm still a learner. And considering there are many areas ( motorways etc) that I have limited or no experience of I will be for some time yet, but it's all good:o.

Thanks Victoria, great to hear you have mastered it and have lived to tell the tale.

**Timbuk2**

I have a pink licence as well and I'm constantly asking questions in this forum! Sure you never stop learning how to drive!

Practice driving on the motorway to see how you get on. I was very nervous about it the first time, but it was actually fine. It seems like a crazily fast speed, but as the road is so big it doesn't *feel* fast. Try it on the motorway at a time you know will be quiet, for the first time perhaps. And maybe wait until all the ice is gone - even if the roads are treated there could be hazards, and nevermind water being sprayed up from vehicles making it a not-so-pleasant experience!

LookBehindYou

If everyone used the Motorways the correct way, it would be easier to drive on them.
Basically, keep to the left lane and go with the flow of traffic, overtaking when its safe and then get back to the left lane again so as to not hold up any other road users.
You would need to look in your mirrors more regular to know exact picture behind and keep updated it.
It would be a good idea to take lessons from someone who should know the correct usage of the roads, ie : an RSA approved ADI instructor.

magochre

Ah, but you're an 18 year old male, Timbuk2, and I'm a forty five year old female with, possibly, a greater growing awareness of my own mortality and the many opportunities for it to actualised.:D

Joking aside, I appreciate your advice, and you're right, it'll definitely be a case of trying it and getting used to it but as I'm not even risking local roads in this weather it won't be for a while.

Safe driving.