Hello I'm Chris. In this video we're going to have a look at joining and leaving a motorway.
You must pass your driving test before you're allowed on a motorway and it's definitely
recommended that you take some motorway driving lessons with a fully qualified instructor.
Hopefully this video will give you a good idea of what to expect. Some vehicles are
prohibited on motorways and are listed in the description below. Before driving long
distance on a motorway it's a good idea to carry out a few checks on your vehicle first.
These include: checking your oil level. Coolant and windscreen washer levels checked. Windows
and mirrors are clean. Have enough fuel for the journey. All lights are working front
and back. Tyres have the correct air pressure and are in good condition. Brakes and steering
are working. Warning lights are all OK. And finally no cats on the bonnet. You would join
the motorway via a slip road or where a main road becomes a motorway. You'll see this sign
at the start of the motorway. From this point motorway regulations apply. The national speed
limit on a motorway is 70mph. When joining you'll have to give priority to vehicles already
on the motorway. Don't force your way on or drive along the hard shoulder on the left.
You shouldn't have to stop at the end of the slip road unless you're queueing to join other
slow moving traffic. Although drivers already on the motorway have priority they might change
lanes to allow you to get on, but don't assume they will. When joining the motorway you might
see this sign. Which shows that the slip road joins the main carriageway as a lane gain,
increasing the lanes on the motorway from two to three. It's unlikely that you'll have
to give way but be careful of vehicles on the motorway moving into your lane. This sign
is similar, it shows that if you're joining the motorway in the left hand lane then there
will no need to merge with traffic already on the motorway. You're unlikely to give way
to the right but you'll still have to be careful of other vehicles entering your lane, especially
ones that are already on the motorway. If you're joining in the right hand lane of the
slip road then you'll have to give way to traffic already on the motorway. You might
also see this sign when joining the motorway. Traffic in the right hand lane of the slip
road has priority over the left and it also has a dedicated lane when joining the motorway.
If you're in the left hand lane of the slip road then you'll have to give way to vehicles
in the right hand lane. I'm joining the motorway using the slip road to adjust my speed to
that of vehicles on the motorway. Still accelerating smoothly looking for a gap. Checking my mirrors, signalling, making
sure that I've been seen by others, a quick side ways glance and I'm on. I'll now cancel
my signal. I'll stay in the left hand lane for now so that I can get used to the higher
speed. Joining the motorway again, this time it's a little bit busier. Being aware of who's
around me. The black car behind looks like they want to overtake, so I'm going to keep
an eye on them. I'm also trying to gauge the speed of other drivers on the motorway. Checking
my mirrors, signalling right and a quick glance over my shoulder. Nice gentle steering onto
the motorway and I'm on. Get used to the faster speed. Look far ahead and check your mirrors
frequently. I'm joining the motorway, smoothly accelerating, adjusting my speed so that I
can merge onto the motorway without affecting any other drivers. So I'm checking my mirrors,
signalling right, a quick check over my shoulder. Gently steering onto the motorway. Driving on a motorway takes a lot of planning
ahead, concentration and anticipating what other drivers are going to do next. We're now going to have a look at leaving
the motorway. I've got my suitcase packed and I've got my passport, I'm heading off
to Gatwick airport. As usual, it's all about planning ahead and looking out for any signs
that might help.
This junction sign is showing me that I need to leave the motorway in one mile. Move into
the left hand lane earlier rather than later so that you're ready to leave the motorway,
especially if the motorway is busy. You don't want to cut across from the other lanes at
the last moment. If you miss your exit then just carry on to the next one.
This next sign is showing me that I need to
leave the motorway in two thirds of a mile for Gatwick airport. Be aware of what other
drivers are doing around you, make the most of the mirrors. Other drivers might change
lanes late to leave the motorway. This car has taken away my stopping distance so I'll check my mirror and ease off gas a
little. This sign is showing me that I need to leave the motorway in one third of a mile for Gatwick
airport. There will now be some countdown marker posts. These are at 300, 200 and 100
yards before the start of the slip road. Checking who's around me and I'll signal at the 300
yard marker. Although if you're driving in a lane that splits off from the motorway as
a dedicated lane then you won't have these. Try and avoid slowing down on the main carriageway
if you can. Gradually slow down on the slip road if possible. I'm on the slip road now
so I'll cancel my signal and I need to plan ahead for any traffic queueing or sharp bends.
It seems like quite a long slip road so I don't need to immediately slow down. But I'm
looking far ahead and I can see traffic starting to build up and signs for traffic lights.
I'm easing off gas and gently braking. Once you've come off the motorway keep a look out
for any signs. You could expect a change in speed limit, traffic lights, a roundabout,
two-way traffic or a dual carriageway. If the speed limit has been reduced then it will
feel extra slow. 40mph will feel like 20mph. Keep an eye on your speedometer to make sure
that you don't speed.
This video is only a rough guide to joining and leaving a motorway and we strongly recommend
that you take some motorway driving lessons with a professional instructor before going
out alone. Well that's the end of our video on joining and leaving a motorway. Really
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Stay safe on the road and see you soon.