Learner drivers to take lessons on motorways under new proposals

Transport Minister Andrew Jones has set out plans to allow learner drivers to have driving lessons on motorways before passing their test.  

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.

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.

Mr Jones (pictured) 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 Foundation director, Steve Gooding, added: “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.”