Merging onto a dual carriageway

In this episode of the driving instructor masterclass, we’re taking a look at how you merge onto Dual Carriageways and other high speed roads. This is something you learn in your driving lessons once you have a fair bit of confidence behind the wheel and can easily make your way up through the gears on those higher speed roads.

When merging onto a Dual Carriageway, it’s really important that you focus and pay attention to everything going on around you – it can feel like quite a dangerous manoeuvre but once you become confident in doing it, you won’t have any issues. Check out the video below from Chris as he shows you how to enter and exit a high speed road. 

How to merge onto a Dual Carriageway:

1. To merge safely, you need to match the speed of the traffic already on the road. Use the full distance of the slip road to get your speed up to where it is on the dual carriageway
2. Throughout this manoeuvre you’ll be required to check your mirrors and blind spots – it’s crucial you keep the wheel straight as you do this and don’t let it swerve with the turn of your head – this simply takes practice
3. When you’re on the slip road, you’ll need to establish an entry point onto the dual carriageway – do this by checking your mirrors and blind spot to your right as you’re on the approach
4. You need to look out for a good-sized gap that you can slip into on the road – this will be your entry point
5. When you’re about halfway down the slip road, apply your signal. This helps other drivers and often, they’ll be more inclined to make space for you on the road if they can
6. As you get closer to the dual carriageway you may need to change your speed depending on how quickly the traffic is flowing – you may need to speed up or slow down
7. Before entering the dual carriageway, make sure you do final mirror and blind spot checks
8. Avoid driving over any chevron road markings to join the dual carriageway – wait until the end of the slip road to merge
9. When you do merge, you’ll be in the left-hand lane of the dual carriageway. Once you’re there, cancel your signal
10. If you find you’re too close to the car in front, you can increase your distance by slowing down or you can overtake the vehicle in front if it’s safe to do so – don’t forget to do those mirror and blind spot check

These are the most basic dual carriageways rules. In order to get them right, it’s really all about practice. Picking up learner insurance when you're learning allows you to practice everything you've learned in your driving lessons with your instructor - perfecting the parkway can be next on your list!