Can you drive on the highway with a newly issued driver's license?
3 Answers
New drivers cannot drive alone on the highway during the probationary period. The regulations and precautions for highway driving during the probationary period are as follows: Highway regulations: If a driver operates a motor vehicle on the highway during the probationary period, they must be accompanied by a driver who has held a driver's license for the corresponding or higher vehicle class for more than three years. The accompanying driver should sit in the front passenger seat to guide the probationary driver. Driving without an accompanying driver or with an unqualified accompanying driver will result in a fine. Precautions during the probationary period: During the probationary period, motor vehicle drivers are not allowed to drive buses, passenger vehicles for hire, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, engineering rescue vehicles, or vehicles carrying explosives, flammable and explosive chemicals, highly toxic or radioactive materials, and other hazardous substances; the motor vehicle driven must not tow a trailer.
It's true that you can't drive alone on the highway right after getting your license. I specifically checked the traffic regulations. During the entire one-year probationary period, if you want to drive on the highway, you must have an experienced driver sitting in the passenger seat accompanying you. This experienced driver must have more than three years of driving experience—it's not something any random friend can do. On the highway, the speed is fast, and the reaction time for lane changes or overtaking is short, making it easy for inexperienced drivers to make mistakes. For example, in case of a flat tire or heavy rain, an experienced driver can help you stabilize the steering wheel. Once, when I accompanied my cousin on the highway, his hands were shaking right after passing the toll booth. If I hadn't reminded him to check the rearview mirror, he would have almost scraped a truck. So don't take chances—wait until the year is up before driving long distances alone. Safety comes first.
As someone who's been there, I understand the eagerness of new drivers to hit the highway. But I really don't recommend going right after getting your license. Back then, I was even nervous about lane changes in the city - with highway speeds starting at 80km/h, there's simply no time to react to emergencies. Imagine when a heavy truck passes by creating that air turbulence; new drivers easily panic when the steering wheel wobbles. Plus, driving alone on highways during the probationary period is illegal - you'll get points deducted and fined if caught. My advice is to practice for two months on empty provincial roads first. Get familiar with your car's limits and road conditions, then ask an experienced driver to accompany you on the highway. This way you follow the rules while gaining experience, and your co-pilot can help watch blind spots.
