Immediately after joining a motorway, you should move into the left‑hand (inside) lane and match your speed smoothly to the flow of traffic, then begin checking your mirrors for awareness of vehicles behind and alongside you.

Correct first actions

  • Stay in the left lane (normal driving lane) rather than trying to move out to the middle or right lanes straight away.
  • Adjust your speed so it safely matches the speed of traffic already on the motorway without harsh braking or sudden acceleration.
  • Keep scanning your mirrors and the road ahead so you know what is happening in all directions before making any further lane changes.

What not to do

  • Do not move immediately to an outer lane unless you genuinely need to and it is clearly safe to do so.
  • Do not continue at slip‑road speed if it is significantly slower than other traffic, as this can create a hazard.
  • Do not tailgate or make sudden lane changes just after joining; build up a safe gap first.

Why this matters

  • Staying in the left lane gives you time to settle into the traffic flow and judge safe following distances.
  • Matching speed and using good observation greatly reduces the risk of collisions at the point where new drivers often feel most nervous.
  • Following these steps aligns with UK motorway theory‑test guidance on “what should you do immediately after joining a motorway.”