Lesson 10: Speed management

By the end of this topic you can

• You can manage and control your speed without prompting from your ADI
• You can drive safely in fast-moving traffic
• You can drive safely where speeds vary a lot, such as when limits change or traffic speeds up and slows
• You can describe how to drive safely in fast traffic in different weather

What you need to know and understand

• Speed limits change often, for example between towns, villages and open roads; watch for the signs.
• The right speed depends on the road, the traffic, the weather and how far you can see.
• Excessive speed for the road or traffic conditions is one of the RSA's common reasons for failing the test.
• At higher speeds you need a bigger following gap and more time to react.
• In rain, fog or ice, slow down and increase your gap.
• Learner permit holders must not drive on motorways, so your ADI will choose other roads with fast-moving or changing traffic speeds.

Reading the road for speed

Your ADI may ask you to drive where traffic speeds vary a lot, so you practise adjusting smoothly instead of braking hard.

• Speed limit signs, including the start and end of town limits
• Warning signs for bends, junctions, schools and road works
• Road width, surface and how far ahead you can see
• The behaviour of traffic around you, including vehicles joining and slowing
• Weather and light: wet, icy, foggy, low sun or dusk

Adjusting smoothly to a lower limit

1. Spot the speed limit sign or the start of the built-up area early.
2. Check your mirrors for traffic behind.
3. Ease off the accelerator so you reach the new limit by the sign.
4. Brake gently if needed and choose a suitable gear.
5. Keep checking your speedometer briefly, as it is easy to creep back up.

Outcomes and practice

Without prompting from your ADI, you should show that you can manage and control your speed, drive safely in fast-moving traffic, and drive safely where speeds are highly variable, including in challenging situations. You should also be able to describe how to drive safely in fast-moving traffic in different weather conditions.

Before your next session, the RSA suggests about three hours of practice controlling your speed in more complex situations, plus reading the Rules of the Road on speed management. Lesson 10 is also part of reduced EDT.

Common mistakes

• Missing a lower limit sign after a fast stretch. Scan for signs at every change of road type.
• Matching the speed of the car in front even when it is speeding. Drive to the conditions and the limit, not to others.
• Keeping the same gap at higher speed. Increase your following distance as speed rises.
• Driving at the limit in fog or heavy rain. Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see.

Test yourself: Lesson 10: Speed management

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• EDT Lesson by Lesson