Learner Drivers On Motorways

[rustymotor]

In August 2017, DVSA announced that learner drivers will be allowed to take motorway driving lessons with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls from 2018. The date is yet to be confirmed..any thoughts?

[humphshumphs]

Personally I think it will be a good thing, as I remember the first time I drove on a motorway (and it was some time after passing my test) and it was very nerve racking.

The only major problem I can see is ...... People on Norfolk & Suffolk - which motorway? We ain't got any!!!!

[Darcydog]

- Yes - about time.

This is long overdue IMO

[planenut]

There would be no increase in danger for other road users as the numptys are out there already.

[Snetty]

should certainly be part of a test or at the very least dual carriageway driving as it is very similar.
Would be interesting to see what would be included in passing the test, as passing the test is one thing learning to drive (your vehicle and everyone else's too) is an entirely different matter.

[rustymotor]

Hi, there is also the pass plus scheme which some instructor's offer, it is a further 6 hours supervised driving after the test.

Pass Plus training takes at least 5.5 hours. It has 6 modules, covering driving:

• in town
• in all weathers
• on rural roads
• at night
• on dual carriageways
• on motorways DVSA

Some Councils offer help to pay for it, new driver gets a certificate and it can help with insurance discounts..It may have been a good plan to make this compulsory prior to a test?

[planenut]

Originally Posted by rustymotor

Hi, there is also the pass plus scheme which some instructor's offer, it is a further 6 hours supervised driving after the test.

Pass Plus training takes at least 5.5 hours. It has 6 modules, covering driving:

• in town
• in all weathers
• on rural roads
• at night
• on dual carriageways
• on motorways DVSA

Some Councils offer help to pay for it, new driver gets a certificate and it can help with insurance discounts..It may have been a good plan to make this compulsory prior to a test?

I agree that the experience of motorway driving is valuable, but as mentioned by a previous poster, not everybody is near a motorway. Me? I'm nowhere near a SatNav but that's now in the modules and requirements.

[steveo]

Hi
Totally agree !
There is no point letting someone who has just passed a driving test loose on a motorway with no experience of such driving
Regards
Steve

[Jim Jamieson]

The motorways are full of learner drivers as it is !

I’ve always said we should all sit a test of some sort to keep our current driving licence. That would find the drivers who simply should not be on the road.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by steveo

Hi
Totally agree !
There is no point letting someone who has just passed a driving test loose on a motorway with no experience of such driving
Regards
Steve

To a new driver, they might seem intimidating, but in fact they are the very easiest of roads to drive on by far - if you apply some basic care and common sense. However, because speeds can be much faster, the potential for much more serious damage is higher. Many lack even the basics to drive on any road types.

My own first experience was on the newly opened M1, with no licence at all when the driver whom had been driving turned out to be drunk or ill (unknown to me), in a hired car. I wasn't aware it was hired, nor was I aware that the obvious damage to the car as I got in, was the result of his driving. On the M1 middle of the night, he managed to scrape a bridge parapet at which point I became very suspicious and offered to complete the drive. It seemed safer to risk my inexperienced driving, than risk his continuing.