When should a G2 driver start to drive on freeways?

When you feel comfortable. Maybe start with smaller highways. I learned on the 401 but in the Windsor area so it wasn't bad. I remember my first time driving through Toronto on the 401 with 8 lanes during college. I have to admit I was intimidated/nervous, especially with the bad/aggressive drivers, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly after moving to the GTA.

The day of/after you get your G2. How else are you supposed to get used to it? By hiding out on city streets your whole life?

Better question: what's stopping you? What do you feel are your current weaknesses?

Well if you have been on the freeway with an instructor just sitting there, you can do it without him there as well. Most important thing on the highway is being aware of your surroundings, especially when switching lanes.

I'd say after a couple months or a year after city driving, when you are skilled at checking blind spot, be aware of your surroundings, changing lane, estimating speed of other vehicles, estimating distance between vehicles, etc.

Highway is around twice as fast as city so you also need to double the distance and time estimate you do in city.

There's nothing like just jumping in and doing it, but if you want a general taste of what it's like first, drive on a road with a high speed limit of 70-80 kph. While not the same, it's at least in the same ballpark. There are loads of these roads the further away you get from the GTA.

waterloong wrote: ↑ My total milage so far is ~4000km. My driving instructor told me my driving skill is adequate when the freeway is empty. But I have never got on highway without instructor sitting besides me. When do people usually start drive on 400s after g2? (I live in Toronto)

I wouldn't worry about it too much highway driving in most cases is actually easier than driving on the local roads as there are fewer distractions. Having said that there are few things to keep in mind and I'm sure your instructor will go over some of this with you .....drive the speed limit but not under, relax, don't tailgate - use the 2+ second rule, continually scan your mirrors for awareness, don't get caught staring at the front of your hood, because your moving at higher speeds changing lanes needs to be done a little more gradually, stay in the right lane unless you need to pass.

If your instructor said your ready then I would suggest you start now.

When you feel comfortable driving, and stopping from high speeds. Take some time driving on Highway 7, Highway 50, and Steeles - they have an 80 km speed limit in many/most sections. When you feel comfortable (and don't force yourself, just ease into it), a good time to venture out for practice on 400 series freeways is on sunday mornings. Start off with driving short sections, and when you have built up more confidence, go for longer trips.

Whenever you start getting comfortable. Don’t worry OP, my GF prefers to never drive highway if she can and has GPS preferences always to take local, where possible. My mom hasn’t driven on highway for 10+ years either.

vaportech wrote: ↑ Whenever you start getting comfortable. Don’t worry OP, my GF prefers to never drive highway if she can and has GPS preferences always to take local, where possible. My mom hasn’t driven on highway for 10+ years either.

that sounds like you are encouraging op to not drive on highways...lol

You need to go with an experienced driver friend who will peer pressure you into getting on the highway. Best at first is get on at night, exit the next exit. Repeat over. And extend thereafter.

You're ready once 100+ km/h doesn't feel fast anymore. Practice on the highway at night when there's light traffic and get used to the speed. Once everything "slows down" for you, then it's not much different from driving on local roads. If anything, it's easier because everyone is going straight with no turns; only lane changes.

The more you drive on the highway the more comfortable you will become. It's the same people driving on the same roads everyday, people have to goto work. You will get the flow of traffic at the roads you frequent.

Highways are actually easier to drive especially if you don't change lane. The danger spots are really the entrance and exits. So choose a highway to drive on regularly to get use to highway designs. Every highways look about the same.

If you are good at changing a lanes, as in you don't twist your wheels, you should be fine. Remember to signal. All cars like to go in a straight line and accelerate in a straight line so try to find your own straight line while the highway is curving.

The highway becomes easier once you are out of the city. The farther you travel, the less cars there are.

Lastly, remember to enjoy the highway by accompanying yourself with good passengers and music.

OP, what is stopping you? Fix your fear/problem first, go slowly, like others said, go on 80kmh roads if you like, then move to highways. Go during non-rush hours. Early morning weekends.