How many years of driving experience is required for a companion when a novice drives on the highway?
4 Answers
For a novice to legally drive on the highway, they must be accompanied by someone with at least 3 years of driving experience. Here are some precautions for novice drivers: 1. Pay attention to speed: As long as it's not on the highway, novice drivers should maintain a stable speed of around 60, which is easier to control. 2. Maintain a safe distance: Novice drivers tend to follow too closely. If the car in front brakes or cuts in, the typical reaction is to brake immediately. Sometimes, excessive nervousness can lead to over-steering, causing accidents. Therefore, keeping a safe distance from the car ahead is crucial. When someone cuts in, appropriately reduce speed to yield.
The regulations for novice drivers on highways are as follows: Within one year of obtaining a driver's license, it is considered the probationary period. During this time, driving on the highway requires the presence of a companion who has held a driver's license for at least three years. The companion must sit in the front passenger seat to provide guidance at all times. The three-year threshold is set because, after this period, most ordinary drivers have become familiar with various road conditions, such as handling sudden lane changes or emergency braking. On highways, speeds are high, averaging over 80 km/h, and novice drivers may not react quickly enough, increasing the risk of accidents. Having an experienced companion can teach you to maintain a safe following distance and avoid missing highway exits. For safety, it is advisable to choose a calm and steady companion, and to check the vehicle's condition before hitting the highway, ensuring tire pressure and lights are all in order. Novice drivers should avoid driving in bad weather, and night driving is even more dangerous due to poor visibility. Gradually accumulate experience and develop good habits, and once the probationary period is over, you can drive on your own.
According to China's Road Traffic Law, new drivers in their probationary period (the first year after obtaining their license) must be accompanied by an experienced driver with at least 3 years of driving experience when driving on highways. Violating this rule may result in a 200-yuan fine and penalty points if caught by traffic police. The 3-year requirement is set to ensure the accompanying driver has sufficient experience to handle emergencies, as dealing with sudden tire blowouts or slippery conditions in rain or snow typically requires at least this much accumulated experience. When choosing an accompanying driver, it's best to pick a familiar person who has driven on highways multiple times, someone calm and not prone to unnecessary instructions. Before entering the highway, plan your route to avoid peak traffic hours and check the vehicle's brakes and tires to ensure safety. Safe driving is no joke—statistics show that new drivers have an accident rate of over 20%. Following the rules is a responsibility to everyone. Don't cut corners and risk it; you'll regret it if an accident occurs.
When I first started driving on the highway, I was extremely nervous, so I asked a friend with 4 years of driving experience to accompany me and help me relax. He kept reminding me to check the rearview mirror and maintain a speed below 120 km/h. The requirement of 3 years of accompanying driving experience is reasonable, as someone with that much driving practice knows how to avoid common highway issues like blind spots of large vehicles. The accompanying person should be patient and not yell unnecessarily. From a safety perspective, it's best to become proficient on regular roads before attempting the highway, maintaining a distance of at least 100 meters between vehicles. The high speed on highways leaves little reaction time, and new drivers can easily panic. Having an experienced companion can promptly correct mistakes and reduce the risk of collisions.
