Planning a journey

By the end of this topic you can

• You can choose a route that suits your experience and the conditions.
• You can pick a time to travel that avoids the worst traffic and tiredness.
• You can build breaks into a longer journey.
• You can set up a sat nav before moving off and follow it without being distracted.
• You can check for road charges and closures before you go.

What you need to know and understand

• Before setting off, plan your route, allow time for breaks and make sure you have enough fuel or charge.
• A break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended.
• You should not let a sat nav or other screen distract you. If you need to change it, find a safe place to stop.
• You remain responsible for the car even when using driver assistance systems.
• In bad weather such as snow or ice, the Highway Code advises not driving unless your journey is essential.
• Learners may only drive on a motorway with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.

Before you leave: a planning checklist

1. Ask whether you need to drive, or whether another way of travelling would work better.
2. Look at the route on a map. Note the main roads, tricky junctions and where you could stop for a break.
3. Check the weather forecast and any traffic news, roadworks or closures.
4. Check for charges on your route, such as clean air zones, congestion charges, toll roads or the Dartford Crossing charge, and how to pay them.
5. Work out how long the drive will take, then add extra time so you are not rushing.
6. Check the car has enough fuel or charge, and do your usual vehicle checks.
7. Tell someone where you are going and roughly when you expect to arrive on a long trip.

Using sat nav without letting it drive you

Enter the destination and set the volume before you move off. Mount the device where it does not block your view of the road, and listen to the voice instructions rather than staring at the screen. A sat nav can be wrong, for example sending you down a narrow lane or a road that has closed, so always obey road signs over the screen.

On your practical test, the independent driving part may ask you to follow directions from a sat nav provided by the examiner, or to follow traffic signs. If you go the wrong way, it is not a fault as long as you drive safely. Just carry on and the examiner will help you get back on track.

Timing your trip

Rush hour, school run times and late at night all bring different risks. Heavy traffic is stressful for a new driver, while very late journeys bring tiredness. Avoid long journeys between midnight and 6am, when alertness is at its lowest. In winter, plan for darker evenings and allow longer for clearing ice and mist from the car.

Common mistakes

• Setting off late and then rushing. Build in spare time so you can drive calmly.
• Typing a postcode into the sat nav while driving. Do it before you move off or stop somewhere safe.
• Following the sat nav into a no-entry street. Road signs always come first.
• Not checking fuel or charge on a longer trip. Plan where you can top up.

Test yourself: Planning a journey

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

Go deeper

• Independent Driving on the Test
• ULEZ, Clean Air Zones and Dart Charge