The British Car Club of Manitoba hosts many group drives every year. Traveling with a group adds an extra level of complexity to the driving experience. Please see below for some tips and etiquette suggestions that will make the group drive experience enjoyable for all.

• Keep an eye on the vehicle behind you. If they pull over, you pull over too. If they fall behind, make sure they aren't dropped at any turns.


• Stay in contact with the car in front of you. They are keeping an eye out for you while at the same time trying to stay in contact with the car in front of them. You need to do your best to stay within their sight.


• Leave room between you and the car in front of you for non-group members to pass if desired. We are sharing the road and do not want to annoy other users with a line of cars that is impeding their progress.


• Travel at the same speed as the group. Group drives are always at or below the posted speed limit, and the leader will always have a way to accurately measure speed. Traveling slower than the group can cause frustration for other road users and group members. It also makes it much harder for the car in front to keep tabs on you.


• Use your turn signals. This helps the people following prepare for upcoming turns and tells the person in front of you that you know there is a turn coming up.


• Pick your spot in the group intentionally. In a large group, cars will naturally spread out between slower spots (traffic lights, corners, etc.) and then bunch up again in those same areas. If you prefer to accelerate a little slower or to leave a little more room in front of you, consider staying closer to the rear of the group. You won't be left behind, but you also won't impede others that prefer to drive a little more spiritedly.


• Know the route and where the planned stops are. While the goal is to stay together, sometimes traffic, stop lights, construction, etc. make that impossible. Not knowing where the next stop is could lead to you getting lost as there may not be a safe spot for the lead sub-group to pull over for a while. If the group does get separated, you could end up becoming the de facto leader of a sub-group, so it would be good to know where you are going. If you have a navigation app on your phone, consider using it even if you don't plan to be leading.


• Keep an eye out for wildlife and road hazards. If you see something, use your hazard lights to warn the other drivers.


• Prepare your car for the drive. Check things like tire pressure (including spare tire), lug nuts, operation of all lights, etc. before the trip. Fill up with fuel on the way to the start of the event so you are starting with a close to full tank. Bring spares and tools for simple repairs. The Road Trip Packing List page has some great suggestions for things to pack for longer trips. A little preparation can go a long way.


• It is recommended to drive with your headlights on to make it easier for the car in front of you to see you.


• Be patient. We are all in this together and the goal is to have a fun day with friends. Sometimes things don't go exactly as planned, but that is part of the experience of driving British cars!