Drive like a Pro on Motorways: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safe and Confident Driving.

Are you ready to tackle the UK motorways with confidence? Whether you're a new driver or just looking to improve your skills, this video is the perfect guide for mastering the art of motorway driving.
Starting with preparation before a motorway journey. It's important to be prepared, not only with your vehicle but also with your knowledge of the road ahead. This video will cover everything you need to know to drive safely on the motorway, including how to join and leave safely, what the signs and road markings mean, and how to plan for junctions.
You'll learn how to safely merging onto the motorway from a slip road, including understanding signs showing whether you have to merge into a lane or you have a dedicated lane. Once on the motorway, we'll cover the importance of adequate separation, known as the "2 second rule", lane changing, overtaking and planning ahead. We'll also cover the breakdown procedures for traditional motorways and the newer "SMART" Motorways, including the use of Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs).
Dealing with Motorway Junctions can be daunting, but with our guidance you'll learn how to plan and anticipate, identify drop lanes, and choose the correct lane to continue on the motorway at complex junctions. Leaving the motorway using a slip road and speed perception.
You’ll also learn about defensive driving and how to anticipate the actions of other drivers, giving you the space to react if they make a mistake. And don’t forget Motorway Services, which are a great way to break up a long journey, refresh and refuel; but bring challenges of their own.
This video is aimed at anybody who has never driven on a Motorway before or anybody with experience of Motorway Driving who wants to understand more about how Motorways work. So, whether you're a first-time motorway driver, or want to improve your confidence, this guide has you covered. Don't miss out on mastering the art of motorway driving - watch now!
Chapters.
00:00 Introduction / preparing to drive on Motorways
01:23 Joining Motorways from slip roads
09:45 Driving safely on Motorways / dealing with breakdowns
19:15 Dealing with Motorway junctions
27:16 Leaving the Motorway / motorway exits
29:08 Defensive driving on Motorways
35:00 Dealing with Motorway Services

[@colintyler1405]

I have just retired as a Grade A instructor after 21 years. Your videos, sir, are second to none. I am guessing that you must be ex-police or just a great deal smarter than most of us. I particularly liked your roundabout videos.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thank you for your kind words Colin! I was an ADI for 10 years, also Grade A. Glad you liked the roundabout videos as I do it differently from most instructors. But it worked for my pupils including the 15% who passed with 0 faults, so I must have done something right 😀 Thanks again for your comments, means a lot.

[@hafizmiftahurrahman1703]

I've just recently passed my driving and have NO experience of driving on a motorway (above 50 m/p) at all. But this video tutorial has taught me a lot and I would still learn more from this video. I appreciate your kind efforts and salute to you Sir. Thank you.

[@trommelbiel]

Probably the most comprehensive tutorial on this complex topic. Especially the M25 terrifies me each time.

[@shaunig6716]

Motorways kinda scare me as they require fast thinking and unpredictable and often inconsiderate / dangerous people. Your calm voice and clear instruction is very helpful!

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Hi Shauni. Glad you found the video helpful 😀 If you think about it motorways are actually more predictable than driving around town! You have no pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars, children, rubbish bins, driveways, oncoming traffic, dogs, etc, etc to deal with. As a result, you can focus on scanning further ahead and behind which is why the traffic can travel at higher speeds. Yes, you are travelling faster than in town but so is everybody around you, so the RELATIVE speed of all the vehicles around you is actually very low. If you are travelling at 70 and overtaking a lorry travelling at 60 then the relative speed difference is only 10mph. As a result you actually have more time to react to changes in the lorry’s speed/position than if you were in town travelling at 30 and overtaking a cyclist travelling at 10mph. Around town you have to deal with oncoming traffic - you are travelling at 30, they are travelling at 30 - if they stray onto your side of the road your safety gap is disappearing at a closing speed of 60mph! On faster roads like motorways it is important to get into the habit of constantly scanning the road - close by, then middle distance, then far ahead, then behind - repeat constantly! What’s nearby you will need to react to in The next few seconds - is the car ahead slowing, are the vehicles beside you changing lanes or getting ready to (if they are catching the vehicle in front of them then they will probably want to change lanes to get past) What’s in the middle distance you will be dealing with in 15-20 seconds time - spot changes up ahead so you can plan and react and not be caught by surprise. If there is nothing to deal with in the near or middle distance then look as far ahead as you can - upcoming junctions? (You or others may need to change lanes - start planning for it now!) - hills ahead causing lorries to slow or speed up? (Think about how it/will affect you and whether it will help if you change lanes now - once you are up behind the lorry going slowly up the hill it’s too late, no one will let you out!) Then check behind - is anyone coming up fast in any of the lanes behind you - closing the gap and cutting off your opportunity to change lanes? Do you see any blue lights behind (as far as you can see) - if so, what can you start planning now to ease the proces of the emergency vehicle? (E.g. changing lanes or cancelling your plan to change lanes so as not to get in its way) This needs to be a constant cycle of scanning so that you always aware of what is going on and what you are likely to have to deal with BEFORE you have to deal with it. Remember that at 60mph you cover a mile every minute, so what is a mile ahead now you will have to deal with in 60 seconds time, 1/2 a mile ahead in 30 seconds time. Once you develop a good scanning routine then motorways are predictable rather than unpredictable. Don’t just look for brake lights on the vehicle ahead, look for brake lights much further ahead as well (you’ll be half a mile ahead in 30 seconds time - plan for it now). This may sound like a lot of information to be taking in, but remember you don’t have the nearby hazards of pedestrians, cyclists, etc to deal with so you can look further ahead.

[@shaunig6716]

Wow, thank you very much! I will try to put all of your advise into practice. That was very kind and thoughtful

[@talistuart6049]

Very helpful. I passed my test 3 days ago. Thank you.

[@hassanelahmar6848]

Very good teacher with clear knowledge of motorways in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Love from Morocco 🇲🇦

[@mrannymus]

Amazing video. Even the merging onto the junction is one of the best video section in the UK that I’ve seen. I have a ROSPA silver 2 years ago and I keep learning to improve every aspect of my driving.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for your comments and glad you found it useful 😀 Continuous improvement is a great mindset to have 👍 I’ve been driving for over 40 years, but still every day is an opportunity to learn something new. The day you feel you know it all is the day to hang up your keys in my opinion.

[@Crazywunn]

This is AMAZING! I have looked on KZbin for someone to just explain motorway driving and you sir have done a great job. I feel more confident after watching this video. Time to put it to the test. May God continue to let you create more videos

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for your kind comments. Glad you found the video helpful 👍

[@Crazywunn]

I did and officially went on the mway today and yesterday (had my licence since 2018) and I couldn’t have been confident without this. Thank you once again 🙏

[@vesselofpeace]

You're such a great teacher, very calm and clear in your explanations, you covered a wide range of things I was worried about. Thank you so much

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you found it useful.

[@theyangrider5905]

Great job covering motorway quite comprehensively which is exactly what I need after just passing the driving test

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for your comments and congratulations on passing your test :)

[@luciusgeorge938]

Fantastic . Job on.. explanation

[@davidhe1314]

I got off M25 unintentionally twice yesterday and added almost a good extra hour to my trip. The things taught in this clip are entirely missing from both theory test and whatever practical training for the road test. This video helped a real lot and is a must see!

[@CasperGamess]

from a dutch perpective: in the UK you have very very short merge lanes. in the Netherlands there is a minimum of 250 meters

[@user-ox9qt1sp2y]

Thank you for this superb video! I am relatively new to motorways in the UK and I view this video regularly to remind me of the basic rules. I highly recommend it for everyone.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thank you for your kind comments 😀 Glad it helps.

[@tahminabegum7048]

Very helpful video. I get nervous when I drive on motorway.

[@pemical35uk]

Brilliant video/instruction .although i have been driving many years I think it is important to remind oneself of the correct ways to drive safely, and this video does just that............. many thanks .

[@jgdooley2003]

28.27 Trust your speedo....It is something I do every time I dive into a pool in summer weather. Good video and great instruction for the often fraught with difficulties motorways of our islands.

[@nath526]

Thanks for this I’ve driven once in three years on the motorway really because I never need to use them but this has given me some good knowledge Thankyou this is the best I have come across on KZbin brilliant

[@jgdooley2003]

Best learning from this. I love the part whe he says it is a real shock to the system going from car park driving to street driving and then onto motorway driving. They are 3 different driving styles. This is vitally important and has nearly cost me cars, penalties or injuries in my 45 year driving career. Do not make the mistakes I have made. I was lucky in that these mistakes only cost me a bollocking from my late but valued father, some Police and some fellow drivers. Lessons learned. Every day on the road is a learning experience, hopefully for the better.

[@MohamedNaw]

Highly appreciated. Thanks

[@Mhfksvbnjf]

I got my license about 8 months ago,always was kind avoiding motorways 🛣️🙄because my car “what is actually normal” was feels unstable,and also I was always confused by the lanes , all what I knew it’s “lane 1 is for slow 😂and others is for overtaking “ Last 3 days I was exploring “motorways “ and signs and just side information about situations what could happen. 1.i checked pressure and find out that with very correct pressure in tyres 🛞 my car on motorway Is WAY more stable . 2.i TURN ON voice in GPS,so as usually I drive without it. 3.I started checking,big junctions before drive 😂😂😂 what really helped 😂 So nothing what has not been told by “highway code” but still 🤷‍♂️👌 And now when I watched the video,I understood much more ! And I gonna watch it again before next long drive on motorway 🛣️ Thank you very much

[@bexleyheathdrivingschool2935]

I’m a driving instructor and have been looking for a motorway KZbin video to recommend to my learners. Looks like I’ve found it. This is excellent and I’ve subscribed for more from this guy. 👍

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Many thanks for your kind comments 😀 I try to cover the bits which other videos don’t!

[@innerpeace.3620]

The best tutorial so far.

[@purplespark8]

Amazing video! Thanks a lot!

[@irmng]

I started driving again after a 25 year gap and this video really helped me getting onto a motorway again for the first time. Many thanks.

[@romanhoax9014]

*The definitive motorway driving video. Excellent learning material. Thank you*

[@Ascannio]

Thank you for your work

[@MajidGhaffari]

very helpful , thank you indeed

[@hakizaronald758]

Excellent video, very helpful thank you.

[@afruzatanny5187]

Well done.... you have done a good job. thank you .

[@sea5205]

This is such an amazing video, thanks a lot!

[@giftchakacha7469]

Excellent job thanks!

[@SM-lx3ip]

Absolutely brilliant - the best I have seen. My anxiety is joining motorways and dual carriageways so any further videos on motorway/dual carriageway driving would be great. And thank you so much for including how other drivers can create a hazardous and a dangerous situation on the motorway by their lane changing errors, that was so helpful (and scary!) This video is superb, it really felt like you were driving the car and made it seem very real. Pure quality, thank you!

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comment! Glad you found it helpful. I make these videos with the aim of making a difference to people, so comments like yours are a real joy to read 😀

[@herojha]

the best video ever on the motorway!!!!

[@brehnfred]

about to drive to gatwick (4 hour drive) this will be my first long distance driver over 50 miles and this video has helped a lot and given me a huge confidence boost thankyou so much!

[@blueberrycupcake6999]

How did it go ??? Pls let us know

[@victoriacare4497]

Really helpful - thanks

[@styno2010]

Great video and lesson on motorway driving. Absolutely love it. Thanks 👍

[@saifmadni12]

Thank you!

[@shyamsunderkamarapu9025]

Complecated made easy. Thanks a lot.

[@zahir.raihan]

Great one!!! Like it!!

[@janov911]

Brilliant video... With excellent theory & content ... Thank you for sharing!

[@juvertmenezes]

Great video , thanks

[@nizamhossainkhan9372]

First I salute you Sir. Many. Thanks. Your motor way driving. Video is outstanding and awesome. You are No. 1.

[@ukdirector85]

This is the best instruction I've seen for this

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thank you 😀

[@zhenia416]

Dear Mike, thank you so much for your video-lessons!

[@johnanih56]

Excellent videos! Thanks so much. Super helpful

[@tomx4960]

Great video, very professional and well explained, cheers buddy!

[@zhuangchen5866]

The best motorway driving instruction for uk new driver.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks :)

[@priya1981uk]

I have learnt so much! Thank you for easy helpful information

[@shashibhushangirish8757]

I am a new driver in the UK and your video has an answer for each and every practical question that I had in mind about driving in the UK motorways. Hats off to the way you have done the video sir, thanks a lot for the effort!!!

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for your kind comments! Glad you found it helpful.

[@MrSunflower82]

Great video, thanks for that.

[@ummabdulwahabbintabdulllah902]

I havent been on the motor way yet im a new driver and your videos are really helpful all of them thanks. Hope to see more

[@nizamkhan1646]

Great excellent video for motorway driving Thank you clar understanding

[@fariborzheydari8418]

Thankyou it was very helpful ....cheers...

[@Jennywren280]

Excellent.

[@Moinuddin-pd2uz]

Excellent video also great advice I have learned alto from your video

[@stub1116]

Brilliant video .

[@AaronOwenSmith]

great content. lots here, thanks so much for the time you put into this.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Glad you found it useful :)

[@jonhughes7264]

I found this very useful. Thank you for the time and effort making these videos. I have recently passed my test and haven't yet ventured onto the motorways. This is a great first step towards that. All the best. Liked and subscribed.

[@sobiachishti599]

This is a really helpful video and has answered a lot of my questions about driving, road markings, and joining and leaving motorways. II will see this video again even though I have seen many parts of it by going back again. Well done!

[@mohammedsufian3783]

It helps me soo much .. thank u for this amazing video

[@truckerfromreno]

I'm glad I watched that. Very informative.

[@hyusuf2207]

Very clear instructions and information about motorway, sleep road and many more. Thanks again

[@sweetyjones1756]

Very informative.. I have driven for many years but I have picked up so many useful tips! thanks

[@atg239]

Thanks useful video. This happens to be the same section of motorway ill be driving on soon. (M3/M25)

[@Seanmcdhuibhne]

If lanes 2 and 3 ar doing under the speed limit and with lane 1 clear ahead you can overtake in lane 1. You can also move to a lane on your left to undertake.

[@BallyBoy95]

Very very good explanation. Honestly, I overprepared for my first motorway drive and could not be happier. This video is definitely at the top of my favourites for motorway guidance. Thank you.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thank you for your kind comments. Glad it helped - that’s why I make these videos, to make a difference 😀

[@mariaray7614]

Thanks for this

[@Michelle19155]

Very helpful thanks

[@moden08]

Thanks mate very useful

[@spanishmontana6121]

Amazing video I don't normally subscribe but I will do it because of this video

[@nahiyan0076]

Excellent video…just what I need after passing my test…..all the very best for you…..many thanks…

[@TanzFang]

Echoing what others have said, great video. A lot of guides or other videos just state to build speed and join in a gap, but you've gone so much deeper into the topic and explained how to create gaps for yourself which is massively helpful. Thank you!

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you found it useful James.

[@amarreta]

Brilliant video. Thank you

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@katyemma4557]

great content, very helpful, i'm going to be driving on a motorway in a couple of weeks, im a new-ish driver, having passed my test last year. thankfully hopefully my partner will be with me and he's had lots of experience on motorways, thanks for the upload

[@yakubalbert]

Very Good Video and helpful. Appreciate if you could do more videos similar with the samples.

[@alexnikoo244]

Pro video, well done 👍

[@ikennakamnonu]

Thanks buddy. 👍🏾

[@pixeldaydream]

What a great video, thank you. I passed my test a few weeks ago and preparing to drive on the motorway for the first time. This helped a lot.

[@katyemma4557]

Very useful! I’ve just passed my driving test and I don’t have any motorway experience yet, so this will be very helpful to me

[@Winstern1984]

Just passed my full A licence in march (motorcycle). Thank you for video. Just gives more confidence on the motor way riding/ driving

[@dileshlamsal]

the best motorway tutorial out there ..kudos to you :)

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks 😀

[@clarakays4153]

I’ve just passed my driving test and this is such a great video explaining all the important details about the motorway. Thanks very much

[@kts1969]

Planning to hire a car during my upcoming Visit to the UK , what an excellent tutorial from you . keep up the great work

[@tommycoughlan4104]

Amazing teacher and motorway footage.... I drove the M50 in Ireland for the first time last Friday..it was hard.... I have LEARNT do much from this video.. Bless you Tommy the South of Ireland

[@Kayrenice_Naturals]

This video is top tier and extremely helpful for a new driver like myself! very informative! Thank you!!!👍🏽👏🏾

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

You’re welcome. Thank you for your comment, I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@ajitkuttiparambil4916]

Dear Teacher... I thank you very much on behalf of others as well as myself for this wonderfully precise & concise educational video. It has helped me a lot, boosting my confidence to take on the motorways. YOU ARE A VERY GOOD TEACHER... I thank you once again.

[@WES2406]

Good vid really helpfull pls could u do some more like this.

[@melward9999]

I have just found your videos. These are fantastic and very informative. Simple to understand and to the point. Perfect.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Glad you found them helpful. Thanks for the comment 😀

[@dassteam]

Hands down the best information i've seen on here, this is first class.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for your comment. Glad you found it useful 😀

[@karthickravikumar2233]

Information is very clean, thanks for the video.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nizamkhan1646]

Ifound ed this video really helpfull Many thanks

[@renukasodha]

I am planning to drive on motorway and your video has brought in a little confidence a# a new motorway driver. Thanks for your video

[@christineharris492]

Thankyou for your feedback. i will keep watching ur video’s.

[@farshaddashti]

Thank you so much for the amazing video, this should be recommended to all pupils and new drivers by instructors

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Glad you found it helpful 😀 Thank you for your kind comments.

[@majackslelo827]

Thanks man😁

[@laurenrichards6319]

Thank you so much for this video. It is very informative. I learnt a lot especially about road signs, drop signs, defensive driving and how to behave at the junctions.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliusamuzu2258]

Thank you appreciate it

[@shank3524]

This is an extremely well done video, very helpful, the best I've found for guidance thank you.

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks. Glad it helped 😀

[@83rohitg]

Very well explained...provided a lot of clarity...thanks a lot...

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

You're most welcome

[@MsVivian99]

Great teacher. Learnt a lot from this thankyou. Top instructor

[@DrivingLessonsnet]

Thanks for your feedback, glad you found it useful 😀