How Long After Getting a Driver's License Can a Beginner Drive on the Highway?
3 Answers
Beginners can drive on the highway immediately after obtaining their driver's license, but they must be accompanied by a driver with more than three years of driving experience. Here are some precautions for beginners driving on the highway: 1. Ensure sufficient mental and physical condition. Driving can be very tiring for beginners due to excessive nervousness, which consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, before driving on the highway, make sure you are mentally and physically prepared. Otherwise, avoid driving on the highway to reduce the risk of accidents. 2. Maintain a reasonable speed. Beginners may be afraid of dangers on the highway and want to drive slower to control the situation. However, it's important to note that highways have minimum speed limits. Generally, the speed should not be lower than 60 km/h. Driving too slowly can result in penalties. 3. Do not occupy the overtaking lane for a long time. On highways, the overtaking lane should not be occupied for extended periods. Pay close attention to road signs, as many sections clearly display warnings such as "Do not occupy the overtaking lane for a long time." 4. Avoid frequent lane changes. Driving at high speeds is dangerous, and frequent lane changes can easily affect vehicles behind you, increasing the risk of accidents. 5. Do not occupy emergency lanes or diversion lanes. Highways are different from regular roads. Emergency lanes and diversion lanes should not be occupied unless in an emergency, as this can disrupt traffic flow.
After driving for so many years, I believe it's best for new drivers to wait until the probationary period is over before driving on highways. Generally, 12 months is a safer timeframe because highways have fast-moving and dense traffic, which can easily make novices nervous and prone to mistakes. It's advisable to first practice basic skills on regular roads and not rush onto highways—safety comes first. After the probationary period, have an experienced driver accompany you for a few practice sessions to gradually adapt to highway conditions. This can reduce the risk of accidents, boost driving confidence, and contribute to long-term safe driving.
When I first got my driver's license, I was eager to drive on the highway every day, but my instructor reminded me to get comfortable driving in the city and on ring roads first. Usually, it takes about six months to a year until you feel smooth with lane changes and following other cars before attempting highway driving. There are many unexpected situations on highways, like tire blowouts or brake failures, which can easily panic inexperienced drivers if not handled properly. It's important to practice more to handle such situations with ease, and don't rush into risky driving just because others encourage you.
