Motorway driving is something that can be more difficult in the winter. The weather conditions that winter brings with it, such as snow and ice, fog and heavy rain all mean that driving can be more difficult and risky in the winter, and motorways will also often be a lot busier around the festive season, as people travel to see family or take a holiday.

Know the Rules of the Motorway

Being safe on the motorway and understanding motorway driving is important all year round, but in the winter, it is particularly important that you are aware of the rules and regulations as well as how to be safe on the motorway.

There are things that you might see on the motorway, and you should be familiar with what they are and what they mean. For example, chapter 8 chevrons will be seen on vehicles which may need to stop on the motorway, such as breakdown vehicles or traffic management vehicles.

Nowadays there are also smart motorways in many places around the UK, and it is really important that you familiarise yourself with the rules on these parts of the motorway, as they do differ from the normal motorways in many ways.

Check Your Vehicle Before You Set Off

If you are going to be travelling on the motorway in the winter, it is very important that you check your vehicle thoroughly before heading off for your journey. This will help you to stay safe and reduce the risk of breaking down on the motorway too, as you will be able to spot a problem with the vehicle before you set off.

Tyres, Fluids and Windscreen

The tyres are a really important part of the car in the winter, and many people put winter tyres on the car in order to make sure that they have a good grip on the road. Water, snow and ice all can make gripping the road more difficult at this time of the year, which is why making sure that your tyres are in good condition is important.

You should also check the basics like the water and the oil in the car before you set off on a long journey, and the windscreen for signs of damage like chips, as the grit that comes up off the road in the winter can cause damage to the windscreen of a car.

Related: Essential Car Safety in the Winter

If you are caught out by snow

Even with the car well prepared, snow can make any journey unpredictable, so pack a winter kit in the boot. A torch, warm clothes, a blanket, water and snacks, a shovel, an ice scraper and de-icer will make a long wait or a breakdown far more bearable. Keep your phone charged and set off with a full tank and plenty of screen wash.

Before you go, clear all the snow and ice from the windows, lights and roof; snow sliding off the roof can blind you or the driver behind. Check your lights are working and switch on dipped headlights manually rather than relying on automatic settings. Stick to main roads, which are more likely to have been gritted, and ask yourself whether the journey is really necessary. On the road, leave a much bigger gap than usual. Stopping distances on snow and ice can be many times longer than in the dry, so the usual two-second gap is nowhere near enough.

Building confidence as a new motorway driver

Winter conditions are especially daunting if you have only recently passed your test. Many new drivers feel nervous about motorways, even though they are statistically the safest type of road in the UK. Learners have been allowed on motorways with an approved instructor since 2018, but motorways are not part of the driving test, so most people have little or no experience of them when they pass.

Preparation makes a big difference. Check the car before a long motorway trip, including the tyres, oil, water and lights, to reduce the risk of a breakdown. Get to know the signs, signals and features you will meet, from smart motorway gantries to the chevrons on the backs of vehicles, so nothing takes you by surprise.

Plan your route in advance using an online map, noting where you join and leave the motorway. For more practice in a structured way, a Pass Plus course gives newly qualified drivers lessons in more challenging conditions, including motorway driving, and is a good way to build experience safely.