How Many Years of Experience Do Beginners Need to Drive on Highways?
3 Answers
Beginners can drive on highways as soon as they obtain their driver's license, but they must be accompanied by an experienced driver with at least three years of driving experience. Without such accompaniment, they must wait until they have held their license for at least one year. The first 12 months after obtaining a driver's license is considered the probationary period. During this period, drivers must display a standardized probationary sign on the rear of their vehicle. The restrictions for probationary drivers are as follows: 1. During the probationary period, drivers are not allowed to operate buses, passenger transport vehicles, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, engineering rescue vehicles, or vehicles carrying explosives, flammable and explosive chemicals, highly toxic substances, radioactive materials, or other hazardous materials. Additionally, they are not permitted to tow trailers. 2. When driving on highways during the probationary period, the driver must be accompanied by someone who has held a driver's license for the same or a higher vehicle class for at least three years. For drivers of small automatic transmission vehicles designed for disabled individuals, the accompanying driver must hold a license for small automatic transmission passenger vehicles or higher. 3. During the probationary period after obtaining an additional vehicle class license, driving a vehicle of the original license class is not subject to the above restrictions.
When I first got my driver's license, I also struggled with this issue. According to traffic regulations, the first 12 months after obtaining a license is the probationary period, during which you absolutely cannot drive on the highway alone. If you want to drive on the highway during this time, there must be an experienced driver in the passenger seat, and this experienced driver must have held a license for the same or a higher vehicle category for more than three years. After the probationary period, you can drive on the highway by yourself, but honestly, it's best for new drivers not to rush onto the highway. There are many unexpected situations on the highway, and actions like changing lanes or overtaking test your reaction speed. Personally, I recommend driving in the city for at least six months until you feel truly comfortable with the car before considering the highway. Safe driving isn't something to rush—gaining more experience before hitting the highway will give you greater peace of mind.
Novice drivers on highways indeed need to pay special attention to regulations. Starting from the day you obtain your driver's license, the first year is considered the probationary period. During this time, driving on highways requires the accompaniment of an experienced driver with at least three years of driving experience. Once the probationary period ends, regulations permit you to drive on highways alone. However, to be honest, one year is just the minimum requirement. I know many friends who only dared to drive alone on highways two years after getting their license, given that highway speeds start at 80 km/h, leaving much less room for error. It's advisable for beginners to first practice on urban expressways with speed limits of 60-80 km/h, as these are particularly suitable for transitioning. Remember to thoroughly check your tires, brakes, and lights before heading onto the highway.
