passed test a week ago...should i do a long drive?

[steve208]

I passed my practical car test on the 20th (got my licence back in the post today!!!!)

I want to go up and see a friend in staffordshire and i am in hertfordshire on satarday night. I feel quite confident driving on my own though only done a few short trips on motorways in last week. I mean its only up the M1 then up the M6 so not lots of little roads. Should i embrace my new found freedom or go by train? oh and cos of train times would be quicker to go by car!

[Rock'n'Roll]

If you feel confident,then go for it. As your not use to driving any distances , I would strongly recommend a couple of service stops to stretch your legs and waken your mind.

[steve208]

hum ok will see how i go with the service stops!! im ok at driving on motorway just the getting on and off is the hard bit!!!

[CheekyChops]

'It's only the M1 then up the M6....' The M6 between Birmingham and Staffordshire is possibly one of the worst stretches of road ever!

[steve208]

hi cheeky....

in what way is it a bad bit of road? i take it you mean becuase it will be busy?

hum im wondering if it might be quiet though...and if not i could take the toll road. If england are playing at 4pm and i am going at around 7pm then maybe there will not be too many people on the raods if they are still in the pub or at home??!!

[Gef]

Go for it but take care whichever roads you drive on. We were all inexperienced once. Oh, and congratulations on passing your test.

[Toureman]

Hi Steve,

Disreguard the "bad road" between Birmingham and Staffordshire, it's just the same as any other Motorway, it does get busy as you already know which is a lot more than most other drivers know!

Also, as you have already mentioned, Saturday afternoon-evening will be so quiet that the Motorcycle News Paper have reccomended it as the best day of the year to go out for a blast on a motorbike, the roads will be deserted.

Go for it and enjoy yourself.

[Yorkie580]

Comgratulations.

I'd recommend a couple of motorway driving lessons - most good instructors would do them. It'll just give you a few more insights into the hazards of motorways.

Motorways aren't any more technically challenging than anything you've already done, but unfortunately the speeds involved can make a difference.

Drive defensively - assume the other driver hasn't seen you and you should do well. Stop frequently and take a map - very often it's easy to come off the motorway and drive on slower roads if you're concerned half way there.

Above all enjoy yourself. The fact that you're concerned shows maturity and common sense. If you get hassled by a driver, pull in between a couple of lorrys - even the most idiot of boy racers don't mess with HGVs!

[ugly_bob]

In relation to the busyness of the M6, I would ay it would be v quiet. I drove into London on Sun after game, then back out again. Took 35 mins each way from Letchworth to Ally Pally. Normally takes best part of an hour, or more in mornings.
Go for it steve if you feel confident. There are plenty of services on M1/M6 if you feel at all tired. Just stop and walk around for 5 mins should refresh you. Long motorway journeys do get very tedious, so you need to try and keep your concentration!!

[Hammer]

Go for it.

Just take it easy, it's wise to stick to left lane unless there's a *really* slow lorry in front of you, then overtake it and move back over again.

Assume that everyone else is an idiot and give them all plenty of space.

[stu_19820]

Deffinately go for it.
I drove from Northampton to Stoke-On-Trent about a week after passing my test, I was nervous but it filled me with confidence and will now drive any where, even abroad.
Your probably a safer driver now than you ever will be as you are probably more cautios having just passed your test!