Positioning for Normal Driving – Stay Safe and Centre Your Car
Good road positioning is all about keeping your car safely and smoothly in your lane. Whether you’re driving on a quiet street or a busy dual carriageway, being in the correct position makes your driving more confident, comfortable and predictable for others.
Why Is Position So Important?
Maintaining the correct position helps you:
- Avoid collisions with kerbs, cyclists, or other vehicles
- Stay predictable to other road users — especially at junctions
- Pass your driving test — examiners look closely at your road positioning
Good positioning builds confidence and makes every other driving skill easier — from steering and gear changes to overtaking and turning. Think of it as your safe foundation on the road.
What Is the “Normal Driving Position”?
In the UK, your normal driving position is:
- In the left-hand lane (unless overtaking)
- Around 1 metre (or a car door’s width) from the kerb
- Positioned in the centre of your lane, with equal space on both sides**
This gives you space from the kerb on the left and passing traffic on the right — a nice, balanced “safe bubble” around your car. **On very wide roads, you might not sit exactly in the middle of the lane, and that’s OK — the key is to keep a safe and consistent position relative to the kerb and other traffic.
How to Judge Your Position from the Kerb
Judging distance from the kerb is a skill that improves with practice. Try these helpful tips:
- Use the dashboard or wipers — in many cars, when the kerb lines up with a certain point on your dashboard (e.g. just under the left wiper), you’re about a metre away
- Ask your instructor to show you what 1 metre looks like — then practise holding that position
- Check your left mirror regularly to keep an eye on your spacing
Top tip: Don’t hug the kerb or drift too far right — aim for that nice even space either side.
Tips to Stay in the Centre of Your Lane
Staying centred is especially important on narrow roads, roundabouts, and when driving next to parked cars. Here’s how:
- Look well ahead — your hands follow your eyes. Looking down too close makes you wobble!
- Keep your reference points consistent — notice where the lane markings or kerb line up in your view
- Ease off if unsure — it’s OK to slow slightly to get your positioning right
If the road is narrow, it’s fine to adjust slightly — but stay as close as safely possible to the normal position.
What If There Are Parked Cars?
If cars are parked on your side, move out smoothly and early — but only when it’s safe:
- Check your mirrors
- Give at least a metre of clearance when passing
After passing the obstruction, return gently to your normal driving position.
Final Thoughts
Positioning is all about awareness and consistency. The more you practise, the easier it becomes to feel where your car sits in the road — and that makes everything from overtaking to turning corners more confident and safe.
Still finding it tricky to judge the kerb? Don’t worry — we’ll work on it together in your lessons.