Motorway driving lessons in Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks sits right by junction 5 of the M25, so motorway driving is part of everyday life here. Yet most new drivers have never driven on one. I'll take you on the M25 in my dual-controlled car, so your first motorway drive is with me, not on your own.

If the idea feels daunting, that's completely normal, whether you've just passed or haven't driven on a motorway for years. We build up to it at your pace, and because the A21 and the M25 are minutes away, we spend the lesson driving, not getting there. There are three routes to choose from, up to a full circuit of the M25, which is brilliant for building confidence, although it does provide an excellent opportunity to test the capacity of your bladder! And it's about much more than driving at 70mph: it's how motorways work, how to join and leave safely, how to read other drivers, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why take motorway lessons?

You can pass your driving test without ever driving on a motorway. Motorways aren't part of the practical test, so many new drivers face their first one alone, at higher speeds than they've ever driven, with traffic changing lanes all around them and decisions to make much further ahead. Add variable speed limits, overhead gantries, emergency areas and complicated interchanges, and it's easy to see why so many people avoid motorways altogether. A lesson or two changes that.

Three motorway routes from Sevenoaks

Times depend on traffic, and the M25 can be unpredictable, so we allow some flexibility. You pay my normal lesson prices, with no extra charge for the motorway.

Joining and leaving

Joining is the part most people dread: accelerating down a slip road while traffic flies past. The most common mistake is joining too slowly, which leaves a big speed difference between you and the traffic you're joining. So I teach you to use the whole slip road, build up to the speed of the traffic, check mirrors and blind spot, and find a safe gap. Traffic already on the motorway has priority, so never assume someone will move over for you.

Leaving needs planning too. At motorway speeds, junctions arrive quickly, so you'll learn to spot the signs early, get into the right lane in good time and slow down on the slip road, not on the motorway. And if you miss your exit, simply carry on to the next one. Never reverse, turn round or stop: a slightly longer journey is always better than a dangerous last-second move.

The unusual layout at junction 5

Many people assume the M25 is one continuous loop, so staying in lane keeps you on it. Around junction 5, it isn't that simple: the signs and lanes need close attention to stay on the road you want. It catches out plenty of experienced drivers, so we'll practise reading the overhead signs and choosing lanes early, which is exactly the skill every complicated interchange needs.

Your first motorway drive should be with me, not on your own.

What we'll cover

• Variable speed limits: spotting changes on the gantries early, slowing smoothly, and the difference between mandatory limits and advisory signs. We'll talk about speed cameras too, but the aim is always to drive within the limit, not to know where the cameras are.
• Smart motorway signs: a red X means the lane is closed, whatever the reason, and must never be used.
• Lane discipline and overtaking: keep left unless you're overtaking, check mirrors and blind spot before moving out, and move back when it's safe. Weaving between lanes to gain a few places rarely helps and adds risk.
• Following distances: at least two seconds in the dry and four in the wet, and calmly dropping back again when someone cuts into your gap.
• Other drivers: middle-lane hoggers, tailgaters and late lane-changers. You'll learn to stay calm, keep your distance and not get drawn in. Good motorway driving is predictable and uneventful.

If you break down

Nobody wants to break down on a motorway, but knowing what to do makes a huge difference. We'll cover spotting a problem early, the difference between a hard shoulder and an emergency area, and getting to a place of relative safety, such as services or an emergency area, if the car can still be driven. If you're stuck in a live lane and can't get out safely, stay in the car with your seatbelt on, switch on your hazard lights and call 999.

Motorway services

I build a services stop into every motorway lesson I can, and on the full circuit it's a very welcome break. Services have their own layouts, with separate routes for cars and lorries, busy car parks and people on foot, so we'll practise coming off, parking, finding the right way out and rejoining the motorway. Along the way, a few practical tips: keep valuables out of sight, fill up before a long journey (motorway fuel is usually much dearer), and if you drive an electric car, plan your charging stops.

Can learner drivers take motorway lessons?

Yes. Since June 2018, learners in England, Scotland and Wales can drive on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls, which is exactly what my lessons are. A parent can't take a learner on a motorway.

Motorways aren't part of the practical test, so this isn't test preparation: it's preparation for driving on your own after you pass. Most of my motorway pupils already have their full licence, as that's usually when people are keenest. But if a learner is clearly very capable and confident on ordinary roads and dual carriageways, I'll take them on the motorway too. It's a great way to build confidence at higher speeds and make the step to driving alone much easier.

Already driving? Motorway refresher lessons

Motorway lessons aren't only for learners. Perhaps you passed years ago and have always avoided motorways, you've started a job that means using the M25, or you have a long journey coming up. We'll focus on whatever worries you most, whether that's joining, overtaking, changing lanes or big interchanges, and there's no need to do the full circuit if you'd rather start with a shorter route (Refresher driving lessons in Sevenoaks).

Manual or automatic?

I teach both, in a VW Polo and an electric Renault 5. In a manual, we'll work on gear choice and building speed; in an automatic, you can focus on observation and lane discipline. The principles of safe motorway driving are the same either way.

Frequently asked questions