How Long Does It Take for Beginners to Drive on the Highway?
3 Answers
New drivers can drive alone on the highway one year after obtaining their driver's license. Those who have held a license for less than one year must be accompanied by a licensed driver with at least three years of experience when driving on the highway. Below is some information about driving on the highway with temporary license plates: 1. Temporary Plates for Cross-Administrative Regions: Vehicles with these temporary plates can travel across provinces without any issues, whether driving within the province or to other provinces, and there's no need to worry about highway travel. Temporary plates for cross-provincial travel are distinctly different in color from those for non-cross-provincial travel, with the former featuring a brown-yellow background and black text. 2. Temporary Plates for Test Vehicles: These plates are typically used only for internal test vehicles by car manufacturers or media test vehicles. There are more restrictions on driving with temporary test vehicle plates. Normally, such plates will specify restricted roads, and test vehicles may be prohibited from driving on highways and ring roads.
I understand the eagerness of new drivers to hit the highway, but according to traffic regulations, there is a 12-month probation period after obtaining a driver's license during which you cannot drive on the highway alone—you must be accompanied by an experienced driver with at least 3 years of driving experience. This rule is primarily for safety reasons: highway speeds often exceed 100 km/h, with frequent lane changes, making it easy for beginners to get distracted or react slowly, leading to rear-end collisions or loss of control. My own experience suggests that it's best to practice on city roads for at least 5,000 kilometers first, getting familiar with vehicle control, following distances, and emergency braking. You can also try driving on expressways during off-peak hours, like early morning, to gain experience. Even after the probation period, don’t rush—ensure you’re confident handling various road conditions, such as rain, snow, or nighttime driving. Safety always comes first; don’t take risks to save time. Practice makes perfect, and only with experience can you become a seasoned driver.
I remember when I first started learning to drive, just two weeks after graduating from driving school, I was eager to hit the highway but was dissuaded by friends. Later, I spent three months practicing frequently on local ring roads and urban-rural roads, accumulating over 2,000 kilometers, before daring to try the highway with my family accompanying me. On my first highway drive, I was extremely nervous, and the high speed led to misjudgment, nearly causing a rear-end collision. From then on, I realized that beginners must practice until they can automatically sense speed changes and blind spot risks. My personal advice: don’t rush onto the highway after learning to drive. First, drive on regular roads for at least 2-3 months, an hour a day, to develop a feel for the car and patience. Additionally, find an experienced person to accompany you on a few highway drives to learn techniques for entering and exiting ramps. Taking it step by step is the safest approach; otherwise, an accident could lead to lifelong regret.
