Dual carriageways

Slip Roads On

• Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) as you drive down the slip road towards a dual carriageway
• Build up speed to match the left lane – normally around 60MPH minimum
• Look for signs that might tell you you are on a ‘merging lane’
• Assess the left lane as soon as possible – preferably before you reach the slip road lines
• Get onto the Dual Carriageway as soon as it’s safe – don’t use up all your room on the slip road
• If you are blocked from coming on by vehicles, consider slowing down to pull in behind the vehicle
• If you pull in close behind a vehicle, increase your gap to the safe stopping distance (normally a 2-second gap on a dry road) as soon as possible

Driving On the Dual Carriageway

• Keep a TWO-SECOND gap between you and the vehicle in front (4 seconds on wet roads)
• Keep a minimal speed of 55MPH where it’s safe to do so. (Faster is better)
• Keep regular mirror checks, especially when approaching to pass on-ramps, in case you need to change lanes
• Use MSM to overtake
• Always signal to change lanes
• Do not sit near to vehicles in the adjacent lane (especially in their blind spots)

Overtaking (and Undertaking)

• When moving back to the left lane, make sure you can see BOTH the headlights of the overtaken vehicle on your interior mirror
• Don’t overtake anything (unless it’s really slow like a tractor) if you are within half a mile of your exit
• DO NOT undertake vehicles unless you are on a slip road

Leaving the Dual Carriageway

• On the three-hundred-yard marker check your mirrors. On the two-hundred-yard marker, signal left. The one-hundred-yard marker is a reminder to not decelerate when leaving unless necessary
• Check your speed when coming to the end of the ‘leaving’ slip road as you may be travelling a lot faster than you think

Town Driving

Pedestrian Crossings

• On Approach Mirror Check – Scan for pedestrians
• Slow if pedestrians are waiting
• Plan NOT to stop suddenly if the lights change to single amber

Traffic Lights and Crossing Lights

• Don’t perform an emergency stop on an amber light. Plan ahead
• Keep an eye on a red light so that you can move straight away on a green light
• Keep your hands on the wheel whilst waiting

Turning Right into a road

• Move into the right filter lane as soon as possible (if there is one)
• Do not cut across the giveaway line if possible
• When waiting for oncoming traffic, if you would walk across as a pedestrian then you can go in your car
• If turning at traffic lights, note – the lights no longer effect you if you have passed the stop line except any right turn filter arrow

Turning Left into a road

• Hug the curbs around the bend – keep tight incase you have obstructions on the left with oncoming vehicles.
• Avoid crossing the centre line of the new road if possible
• Get a full view into the new road before you turn

Emerging Right into a road

• Look Left and right at least twice, act on what you see
• Peep and Creep if necessary, learn forward, chin near wheel

Emerging Left into a road

• Look Left and right at least twice, act on what you see
• Peep and Creep if necessary, learn forward, chin near the wheel

Box Junctions

• If there are traffic lights on the approach to the box junction, keep an eye on them, and make sure they are green before you proceed
• You are allowed to wait in the box junction if turning right and your exit is clear
• If going straight over, make sure you can clear the box junction

General Driving Tips in Towns

• Keep an eye on your speed (use a limiter if you have one)
• Plan ahead and make early decisions
• Use mirrors before changing speed or direction 

Country Lane Driving

Bends

• The slowest part of the bend is before you go round it. Always keep and constant speed, or slightly accerlating around a bend
• When you see a ‘Sharp Deviation Sign’ you will probably need to slow down before the bend 

Meeting Vehicles

• When meeting oncoming vehicles you may need to come off the gas and move slightly to the left is possible
• Try not to stare at an oncoming vehicle as you may steer towards it

General Driving

• When avoiding pot holes or puddles try not to cross the centre of the road unless necessary and safe