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  1. Published on: 30/12/2016 06:48 AMReported by: roving-eye
    Learner drivers will be allowed to have driving lessons on motorways with a driving instructor in a car fitted with dual controls.



    Learner drivers will be able to take driving lessons on motorways before passing their driving test under new plans set out today (30 December 2016) by Transport Minister Andrew Jones.

    At the moment, you can only have driving lessons on motorways after you’ve passed your driving test. Some newly-qualified drivers take lessons through the voluntary Pass Plus scheme.

    Voluntary motorway lessons with a qualified instructor
    Under the new plans, learner drivers would need to be:

    accompanied by an approved driving instructor
    driving a car fitted with dual controls
    Any motorways lessons would be voluntary. It would be up to the driving instructor to decide when the learner driver is competent enough to have a motorway lesson.

    Any change to the law would be well-publicised before coming into effect. Until then, it’s still illegal for a learner driver to drive on a motorway.

    Driving instructor training and vehicles
    The Department for Transport is also asking for views on whether:

    the current driving instructor training and testing system gives instructors the skills they need to provide motorway lessons to learner drivers
    specially-adapted vehicles must be fitted with dual controls if they’re used for motorway lessons
    L plate roofboxes on cars must be removed before a motorway lesson
    Have your say on the proposals by 17 February 2017.
    Better prepared for a lifetime of safe driving
    Allowing learner drivers to have lessons on motorways will help to make sure more drivers know how to use motorways safely.

    The changes will allow learner drivers to:

    get broader driving experience before taking their driving test
    get training on how to join and leave the motorway, overtake and use lanes correctly
    practice driving at higher speeds
    put their theoretical knowledge into practice
    Right skills and understanding
    The proposed changes will help to contribute towards the government’s commitment to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads, and ensure safer journeys.

    Transport Minister, Andrew Jones, said:

    We have some of the safest roads in the world and we want to make them even safer.

    These changes will equip learners with a wider range of experience and greater skill set which will improve safety levels on our roads.

    RAC Director, Steve Gooding, said:

    The casualty statistics tell us that motorways are our safest roads, but they can feel anything but safe to a newly qualified driver heading down the slip road for the first time to join a fast moving, often heavy, flow of traffic.

    Many are so intimidated by the motorway environment that they choose instead to use statistically more dangerous roads, so we welcome this move which will help new drivers get the training they need to use motorways safely.

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    Your Comments:


  3. paulollie says:30/12/2016 11:03 AM
    Personally I am of the opinion it's a good move and long overdue. I've been driving for nearly 40 years and my first experience back in 1978 on the M6 was interesting to say the least.

    An issue today though, as the motorways are ten times busier it will be interesting how this works out.

    "Good" instructors are definitely required now!!!

  4. Little Londoner says:30/12/2016 11:20 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by paulollie View Post
    Personally I am of the opinion it's a good move and long overdue. I've been driving for nearly 40 years and my first experience back in 1978 on the M6 was interesting to say the least.

    An issue today though, as the motorways are ten times busier it will be interesting how this works out.

    "Good" instructors are definitely required now!!!
    Unfortunately Motorway driving for some people is a once a year going on holiday event and as a regular Motorway driver I am appalled by some of the things I have seen like a car stopped on the hard shoulder with it's indicator going expecting to go from standing to joining the motorway instead of picking up speed on the hard shoulder. Among the worst drivers are some of the so called "professionals" in lorries who I wouldn't let push a hand cart down a deserted airfield runway without causing a collision. Some people will never have the confidence to properly use a motorway so forcing them as learners onto the motorway could in effect finish them from driving. I think something like the Pass Plus is the best option but then how do you stop someone who has passed the test going on the motorway without any experience.

  5. fairhaven says:30/12/2016 01:29 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Little Londoner View Post
    Unfortunately Motorway driving for some people is a once a year going on holiday event and as a regular Motorway driver I am appalled by some of the things I have seen like a car stopped on the hard shoulder with it's indicator going expecting to go from standing to joining the motorway instead of picking up speed on the hard shoulder. Among the worst drivers are some of the so called "professionals" in lorries who I wouldn't let push a hand cart down a deserted airfield runway without causing a collision. Some people will never have the confidence to properly use a motorway so forcing them as learners onto the motorway could in effect finish them from driving. I think something like the Pass Plus is the best option but then how do you stop someone who has passed the test going on the motorway without any experience.
    Agreed, like the Pass Plus idea

  6. bensherman says:30/12/2016 04:43 PM
    My wife comes from the Isle of Wight and one way or another I have been there a lot over the years.

    There are, of course, no motorways on the island, and in fact there is only one stretch of dual carriagway about three miles long. In fact I can remember the first introduction of a roundabout, which was only about 20 years ago.

    My wife had an aunt who would drive using very strange routes so she did not encounter a roundabout on the way.

    So many drivers there get a full licence but only encounter a motorway possibly years later and are traumatised by the experience. That happened to my sister-in-law who has driven for over 40 years but if she and her husband come to "the mainland" she refuses to drive, even if her husband is ill.

    My wife, by the way, left there at 17 and has a lot of driving experience!

  7. ECHOEONE says:30/12/2016 08:18 PM
    Hopefully they will be taught not to lunge for the middle lane and stay there irrespective of a clear inside lane - as so many selfish/nervous drivers do these days.


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