Driving on the highway is an essential part of learning to operate a car, but it can be scary at first.
Steps
Step 1. Pick a highway and a time
It's best to start when you know the highway won't be crowded. Weekends and afternoons are better. Pay attention to the road reports in your area. Make sure you know where you are going and that you have nothing to do for a while.
Step 2. Learn to operate the car at low speed
Make sure you know the laws and "rules of the highway," including the different lanes and speed limits.
Step 3. Make sure all parts of the car are working (brakes, lights, turn signals, transmission, etc.)
). Inspect the car and fix it if necessary. The highway is the worst place for you to break down.
Step 4. Start on a day with clear, dry weather
Darkness and inclement weather make driving more difficult.
Step 5. Start driving from your garage, then drive onto the highway
Do not join too fast, you should join at the same speed as those coming from the highway.
Step 6. As you arrive to join, use your turn signal, check that no car is coming with your mirrors and check your blind spot
You must watch the cars on the highway and adjust your speed to merge safely. Although many people will change lanes to give merging cars more space, it is not their responsibility to let you pass. Once you're inside, match your speed to the flow of traffic.
Step 7. Practice changing lanes as you drive
Use your turn signals, mirrors, and always check your blind spot. If you are going to pass a car that is slower than you, you should pass it on the left. If you are driving and there is a lot of space in front of you and lots of cars behind you, YOU ARE OBSTRUCTING THE TRAFFIC. Carefully change lanes to let traffic pass, it's not your job to make everyone respect the speed limit.
Step 8. Once you are comfortable changing lanes, try to pass other cars
Make sure you give them plenty of space, and never close for anyone.
Step 9. When you want to leave the highway, find the correct exit, and use the turn signal to mark that you are going to exit
When you get out, start to slow down.
Step 10. Once you are off the highway, you can either go home or find another exit to the highway to rejoin
Advice
- It will be easier to learn this on an automatic car. This way you won't be afraid to slow down quickly, which will cause the car to downshift and accelerate faster and louder, when necessary. It does that to generate the full power the car is designed for.
- Never change lanes without signaling and always check your blind spot. If not, you could change lanes directly to another car that you haven't seen before. You could put a small blind spot mirror on the inside corner of the mirror, just remember that everything in them is closer than they appear and however you want you should flip.
- Practice a lot. It seems like a lot of steps to take, but it will quickly become a habit.
- If you are not good at navigating, take someone who already knows what to do when you hit the motorway, that way you will know exactly where you are going.
- Practice your first few times with an experienced driver. You need someone in case something goes wrong, to help you navigate, and to warn you if you're going to hit something.
- Always wear your seat belt, no exceptions.
- Don't drink alcohol or caffeine before driving.
- Make sure you have auto insurance before you drive. Also remember to have your license and that it is current.