Motorways

Although motorways make up only a small percentage of the UK road network, they carry over a third of all heavy freight traffic.

Despite this high volume of traffic, motorways should still be the safest roads to drive on.

This information is designed to give an overview of motorway basics to consolidate your knowledge of the rules, regulations and techniques required for safe motorway driving.

You can find more information about motorways in the SmartDriving Motorway Driving section and at DriverActive. Study both of these links before going out to practise.

You should aim to get at least one hour's practise on a motorways with lots of entering and leaving before taking Part-Two paying particular attention to the following points.

• Entering and leaving a minimum of fifteen motorway junctions.
  
• Overtaking and lane-changing using all lanes.
  
• Maintaining a minimum two-second gap without the need for braking.
  

You will also be fully familiar with the motorway signing system and have had practical experience of following motorway signs.

If you live more than a couple of hours away from a motorway we understand that it might be difficult to gain motorway practise, however, we urge you to take a 'day out' to achieve this. If this is not possible take the first opportunity you can to drive on a motorway - perhaps extending a future journey to include extra practise.

Note that even if you live a long way from the nearest motorway, for example, the Highlands or Islands of Scotland, you will still need to include motorways in your syllabus in order to teach safe driving for life (perhaps with 'day out' team lessons or video tutorials).

Next: Smart Motorways