An Introduction to Motorway Driving

 

As the UK's largest independent road safety charity, we understand that driving on the motorway can be a daunting experience for some people.

We offer a 75 minute course that has been designed to help you with all aspects of motorway driving, and will leave you equipped with the skills to drive on motorways safely and confidently.

Read on to discover more about driving on the motorway safely, and how our course can help you with motorway driving even before you get in the car.

Book a motorway driving course
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Who is our course suitable for?

No matter where you are in your driving journey, we want to help you feel as confident on the motorway as possible.

Developing your motorway driving might seem completely off-limits as you don’t want to face the process alone. This is where our motorway driving course can help.

If you can relate to any of the following statements, our motorway driving session could be a good option for you.

Our On-Road Module is a great way to familiarise yourself with the different rules and procedures when it comes to driving on the motorway. Developing your skills through our motorway driving session can be an ideal way to build your confidence and skillset to tackle any challenges you may face. We also cover Smart Motorways in our module, to help you understand how to navigate them safely.

It’s completely normal to feel anxious when driving on a motorway, especially if you are not used to it. Our IAM RoadSmart experts are trained to help you feel at ease throughout your module and will support you by addressing any specific areas you might find to spike your motorway anxiety. By familiarising yourself with the different rules, and with a few simple tips, you will be well on your way to overcoming your motorway anxiety and becoming a safer driver.

An important factor for new drivers to consider is that motorway driving can be more challenging than driving on other roads. With a higher speed limit, more lanes, and more information to consume, it can be intimidating for more inexperienced drivers. By practising with an IAM RoadSmart Observer, we can provide key guidance to help you be as comfortable and confident as possible when driving on the motorway.

 

 

What will you learn? 

In your module, you will cover a variety of situations when driving on the motorway.

We will also cover common motorway concerns including Smart Motorways, a type of motorway that helps to manage traffic flow and improve efficiency.

Smart motorways do this by using variable speed limits, and at times, using the hard shoulder as an open lane during periods of high traffic. Understandably, they concern a high percentage of drivers, so we will support you with navigating them safely.

Through our one-to-one expert coaching, we will support you through the whole process. From joining the motorway to making a safe exit, we will offer you tailored advice so that you can continue to improve your driving abilities after the module.

What will you learn

 

 

 

 

How does the module work? 5 simple steps…

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Purchase your module and arrange a session to suit you.

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Our customer care team will assign you an instructor and arrange a suitable time and place for your session.

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Meet your instructor and prepare for your drive with some preliminary checks.

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Take to the road for your motorway driving session.

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Debrief with our IAM expert by discussing any areas for development, and tips on how you can improve your skills.

 

 

 

 

Here are some motorway driving tips to get you started:

Tips

 

 

1. Always be as prepared as you can

Make sure you top up on fuel, check your tyres and check your screen wash levels. If in doubt, make sure your car has received a full service before embarking on your journey to limit any risks.

2. Understand what the coloured studs mean

Along your drive, you will notice a variety of different studs marking out the road. Make sure you understand what each one means:

White studs mark lanes or the middle of the road
Red studs mark the left edge of the road
Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway/motorway
Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway of lay-bys and slip roads

3. Refresh or build your skills

Embarking on an On-Road Module is the perfect way to develop or brush up on your skills so that you are feeling confident and ready to go.

Book a motorway driving course

 

 

Other Resources

Below we have a variety of different resources to further support you with your driving skills. These are ideal if you are struggling with any kind of driving anxiety, or if you are an older driver looking for some extra guidance.

anxiety

 

 

How to overcome driving anxiety

In a recent survey by Nissan, 23% of drivers said they were anxious about using motorways, and 39% felt scared or uncertain behind the wheel in general.

Click to explore some of the symptoms of nervous driving, as well as some of the top ways you can begin to overcome your fears.

Explore our driving anxiety resources

 

 
older drivers

 

 

Guidance For Older Drivers

We believe that older drivers bring a host of experience to UK roads, so it’s no wonder they are statistically one of the safest groups behind the wheel.

Click to explore some of our top resources for older drivers, including some of the steps we recommend they take to ensure safe and confident driving for years to come.

Explore our guidance for older drivers