Teaching A Learner To Drive?

The Art of Dealing with Dual Carriageways!

June 24, 2022 DriveHart Season 1 Episode 24
Teaching A Learner To Drive?
The Art of Dealing with Dual Carriageways!
Show Notes Chapter Markers

This podcasts provides an overview of some key points for dealing with Dual Carriageways, if you want more information, video guidance and assistance, Drive Hart are launching a new resource site called " Drive.Zone for Parents" in September available on low cost subscription basis covering all driving subjects.  

 If you need one to one support, we are also launching a new service called "Your Expert on Line" where you can subscribe to the service and get advice and guidance from A Graded Approved Driving Instructor for your private practice and test preparations. Call us if you want to get additional support on 07919 488360 or email admin@drivehart.com.  

A key question Parents ask us is about the timing of starting instruction on Dual Carriageways for Supervising Parents:

It is key to ensure that you do not tackle dual carriageways too early, otherwise the learner can be overwhelmed and as they are usually faster speeds than other roads require greater car and skill.   We would recommend getting the advice of your Approved Driving Instructor before starting dual carriageways on private practice.   

The points raised in this podcast cover:

1.  How to identify a dual carriageway and who can drive on it. 

  • Any road with physical separation is a dual carriage irrespective of how many lanes it has unless its a motorway.
  • Can occur in any location urban, rural, city, signed dual carriageway. 
  • Learners can be supervised on dual carriageways by Supervising Driver 
  • We would only recommend taking a learner when they have sufficient control and confidence to take on the higher speeds.

2.   Speed on dual carriageways and how this can be different from 70 national speed limit.

  • May be first time a learner has driven in higher gears so care, 
  • steering can be very sensitive travelling at speed
  • safety gaps are imperative 
  • Observations and knowledge of your surroundings and other users essential
  • Planning and anticipation is key to safety
  • normally subject to 70 mph national limit but can also be any specified / signed speed restriction eg  30, 40, 50 60mph so checking what applies is important etc.  


3.  Lanes and the all important observations.

  • Always travel on left, unless good reason to be on the right (ie approaching a roundabout where you need right lane, approach to move into slip on right to move across dual carriage, overtaking)
  • anticipation and planning and strong observations are key to safe dual carriage way driving.  
  • Higher speeds mean that you should always know what is around you and keep safe  gaps from other traffic.

4.  Overtaking on dual carriageways 

  • Look well ahead as you close on the vehicle in front of you 
  • Use your MSPSL nice and early so do not get too close to vehicle your overtak

Dear Listener

Thank you for taking time to listen to our podcasts we hope they are of use and welcome your feedback.

For further resources and advice please see our facebook group for parents - teaching a learner to drive on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/524645638669371

For instructors see our facebook group for instructors on:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/931188437661404

We update our facebook page with regular legal and DVSA updates - please follow us on our Drive Hart facebook page on: https://www.facebook.com/DriveHart

Thank you again for listening to our podcasts we hope they were of use in your teaching a learner to drive. If you have any queries please email us on admin@drivehart.com

Sarah Jane Hart & Jac Clayton
Directors at Drive Hart Ltd

Sarah Hart - Introduction to Dual Carriageways 5 points to be considered
Point 1 - What is a dual carriageway
Point 2 - Speed
Point 3 - Lanes & Observations
Point 4 - Overtaking
Point 5 - Joining and Leaving Dual Carriageways
Further Resources Available - Conclusion