How Long Should a Novice Driver Wait Before Driving on the Highway?
4 Answers
Novice drivers must wait at least one year before they can drive on the highway independently. Here are some important considerations for new drivers on the highway: 1. Accompaniment Required: During the probationary period, a novice driver must be accompanied by a licensed driver who has held a valid driver's license for the same or higher vehicle category for at least three years. 2. Penalties: According to Article 65, Section 2 of the "Decree No. 123," driving without a qualified accompanying driver or with an unqualified accompanying driver will result in a fine of 200 yuan and an order to exit the highway at the nearest exit. Novice drivers attempting to enter the highway will be educated and advised to turn back.
I remember when I first got my driver's license, my instructor said that beginners must wait until the one-year probationary period is over before driving alone on the highway, and they must have an experienced driver with more than three years of driving experience in the passenger seat. Last time, my cousin was in a hurry to take his new car for a spin, but he couldn't brake in time at the highway exit and ended up rear-ending someone. It's advisable for beginners to first get used to the speed on national highways. Changing lanes is more nerve-wracking than in the city, especially on rainy days when road reflections can easily lead to misjudging distances. Nowadays, urban ring roads can also reach speeds of 80 km/h, making them quite suitable for practicing following distances. If you absolutely must take the highway early, remember to choose a quiet weekday morning and keep a warning triangle and reflective vest in the trunk for added safety.
I started driving on the highway from the third month, but only with a driving instructor sitting beside me for guidance. The main issues for beginners are lack of vehicle control: slight steering adjustments tend to be overdone, passing trucks can cause sway due to airflow, and driving for two hours can make your arms go numb. It's recommended to first accumulate 2,000 kilometers on city roads, preferably experiencing both rush hours and rainy conditions. Current regulations require extending the probation period by one year if 6 penalty points are accumulated, and a friend had their license directly revoked for crossing solid lines on the highway. Don't rely solely on navigation; memorizing service area locations in advance is more reliable.
It mainly depends on driving frequency rather than time. Someone who commutes daily for a month may be more skilled than a person who's only driven five times in half a year since getting licensed. Three key points for highways: maintain 60 km/h throttle control when merging via ramps, use both headlight flashes and horn when overtaking large trucks, and activate hazard lights while stopping in emergency lanes (not the road) during accidents. Once saw a novice driving 80 km/h in the fast lane getting aggressively flashed by high beams. Recommend renting a car for short highway trips on weekends to familiarize yourself, with family in back seats for added reassurance. Mandatory 20-minute rest stops at service areas prevent drowsiness.
