Whether you’re a learner planning a trip with family members to help you get your 120 hours of experience and fill out your log book, or you’re a P plater or fully licensed driver going on a journey, you may be wondering how long a person can maintain safe driving.
How long should you plan to be behind the wheel each day, and how does being tired or driving for an extended distance affect your abilities and reaction time? Find out now in this blog from LTrent Driving School.
You Shouldn’t Drive For More Than 2 Hours Without A Break – Stay Safe!
The longer you remain at the wheel, the more likely fatigue is to set in. This increases the chance of errors in judgment, missing a speed limit change, or failing to notice oncoming vehicles and other vehicles around you.
That’s why we recommend that you take a 15-minute break every 2 hours to break up your trip. You can use this time to:
- Visit the bathroom.
- Grab a snack or a healthy meal.
- Stretch and refresh.
- Visit a Driver Reviver site in NSW.
- Check your vehicle, including warning lights, fuel, or even medical conditions that may affect alertness.
In addition, you should not plan to be at the wheel for more than 8 hours in total if you are the only driver. Even with breaks, pushing beyond this distance is unsafe.
Taking turns with another driver is a smart option. Switch shifts every 2 hours so that one person can nap, relax, or enjoy the ride as a passenger. This lets you cover more distance safely while staying alert.
And remember: if you ever feel fatigued or tired, take a break and stop. Fatigue is a leading cause of traffic accidents. Safe driving is always more important than getting to your destination quickly.
Tips For Staying Alert & Driving Safely On Long Journeys
Whether you’ll be the only one at the wheel or sharing responsibilities, here are some useful tips to stay alert and maintain safe driving on longer distances.
- Leave at sunrise – Daytime offers better visibility, and you’re less likely to feel drowsy compared to night-time. Headlights from oncoming vehicles can be fatiguing after dark.
- Take a nap – If you’re feeling exhausted, pull over safely and sleep for 15–30 minutes. Or, if you have another driver with you, swap seats.
- Listen to some tunes – Music can break up the monotony and help you stay alert. Keep the volume moderate so you can still hear what’s happening on the road.
- Eat right – Avoid sugary snacks or drinks that cause energy crashes. Opt for balanced meals that give you steady energy over distance.
- Don’t use cruise control – Staying in full control of your speed keeps you more engaged with the road and helps prevent drowsiness.
Want more official advice? Check out these guidelines from Service NSW.
Need Help Learning How To Drive Safely? Come To LTrent Driving School
If you’re a learner about to start long practice sessions, or you want to strengthen defensive habits, LTrent Driving School can help. Sign up for our NSW Safer Drivers Course to learn practical strategies for safe driving.
For extra resources, see:
- How long can a learner drive in one day
- How many hours does it take to learn to drive a car
- What are some signs of being too tired to drive
Book Driving Lessons and get the professional guidance you need to manage fatigue, cover distance confidently, and build safe habits for life.
