Preparing and planning for a journey | Drive - Drive - The official way to drive. Drive has everything you need to prepare for your learner, restricted and full licence tests.

Plan ahead before you start a longer drive. You need to be able to concentrate on the driving and make sure you get where you need to go.

Plan yourself a longer route, one that will take three hours or more to drive.

Think about when you want to travel. Certain days or times can be busier than others, especially around public or school holidays.
Look at your route before you set out, so you know the basics of which roads and turns you need to take.
Look for places along the route where you can stop and take a break. It’s good to have a break at least every two hours.
Check the weather forecast and road conditions (road works and closures) for the route you want to take.
Make sure that your car is roadworthy, the windows are clean and that you have plenty of petrol to get there.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to where you want to go.
Avoid travelling at times of the day when you would normally be sleeping. Get a good night’s sleep before you set out.
If you do start to feel tired, take a break.
Avoid distractions while you’re driving. Set a playlist before you set out and don’t drink or eat until you’re having a break. Turn your mobile phone on silent or turn it off. If your passengers are being distracting, ask them to stop.

Driver fatigue is when a driver becomes tired, weary or exhausted and is the cause of many fatal crashes on our roads.

To help you avoid feeling over-tired when you’re driving:

Stop at least every 2 hours for a rest. Get out of the car and walk around.
If possible, share the driving with another licensed, experienced driver.
Snack on light, fresh foods. Avoid fatty, sugary or carbohydrate-filled foods as these can make you tired.
Don’t drink any alcohol, even small amounts, beforehand as it’ll make fatigue much worse.

The signs that you’re getting fatigued and should stop driving immediately include:

If you do experience any signs of fatigue:

Don’t keep driving. Find a safe place to stop and have a rest immediately.
Once you’ve stopped, move to the passenger seat and take a ‘power nap’ for about 15–20 minutes.
Try not to sleep for longer than 40 minutes. If you do, you might feel groggy and confused when you wake up rather than refreshed.
Keep in mind that a power nap just lets you carry on safely for a bit longer. It doesn’t cure fatigue.
Make sure that you’re completely awake before you start driving again.

If you still feel sleepy after a short nap, don’t continue your journey. The only cure is to have a proper sleep for 7–8 hours.

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