From 4 June, learner drivers will be given lessons on how to drive on the motorway
Last year it was announced that sometime in 2018 learner drivers for the first time ever would be allowed to drive on UK motorways.
On Friday, DVSA confirmed the date as being 4 June – this is when drivers with L-plates will be given lessons on how to drive on the motorway.
All learner drivers will be accompanied by a fully qualified driving instructor and the vehicle will have dual-controls. The driver having the lesson will only be allowed onto the motorway as and when the instructor believes they are ready. At no time will any parent be able to take to the motorway with their child who’s learning to drive, only qualified instructors will be allowed to enter the motorway with a learner driver of any age.
From 4 June 2018 learner drivers will be allowed to have lessons on the motorway © Copyright Philip Halling and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
When it comes to the actual driving test, there will be no motorway driving included but despite this the announcement has been welcomed by road safety campaigners up and down the country.
The decision to allow learner drivers on the motorway was made last year following a consultation, which concluded that the rules needed to be changed. Boosting confidence and teaching people how to drive safely on the motorways before taking to the roads independently received generous support.
According to research, younger and more inexperienced drivers were found to be around five to seven times more likely to be seriously injured or killed compared to drivers aged 25 or over.
Currently drivers of all ages who’ve just passed their driving test and gained their full UK driving licence have no idea how to drive safely on the motorway, with no experience on how to join and leave the motorway, use the lanes correctly, what the hard shoulder is for and then having to drive with so many lorries and HGVs around them.
“While motorways are statistically our safest roads, it can be daunting using them for the first time after passing the driving test. Giving learners the option to gain valuable experience on our fastest and busiest roads should further improve safety and enhance the confidence of new drivers,” said the RAC’s road safety spokesman Pete Williams.
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