It was announced in mid-2017 that Learner Drivers in England, Wales and Scotland would soon be able to hit the motorway on their driving lessons. Yesterday the law finally changed and learners will now be given the chance to take to our motorways under the supervision of an approved instructor. Learner Drivers in Northern Ireland however, you will have to wait until at least 2020 before being able to have Motorway lessons.
Richard Leonard (Head of Road User Safety for Highways England) said “There’s over 700,000 drivers pass their test each year. This is about giving those drivers invaluable practical experience when driving on our motorways, making them confident, safer customers on our roads”
Full video below: (Source: Highways England via YouTube)
Until now, the most experience a driver could have on a motorway was purely in a theoretical sense, and many new drivers are not afraid to say that they purposely avoid motorways when passing their test due to their inexperience. In fact, a poll from the AA suggests that approximately 8% of licence holders avoided motorways for at least six months after passing their test.
Will i be forced to go onto the Motorway as a Learner Driver?
Absolutely not. Your approved driving instructor will speak to you first and make sure you’re comfortable with giving it a go. If you don’t feel confident, you can choose not to.
What are the benefits of learning on a motorway for me?
We all will inevitably need to drive on a motorway at some point. Like anything, getting experience sooner rather than later is usually the best recipe for success and confidence. With an instructor, you have the opportunity to ask questions which you may not know driving by yourself after passing.
I’m an anxious and nervous driver, so what can i do to help this?
Staying calm is key. That’s easier said than done, however you shouldn’t over-think motorway situations and always remember you are in safe hands with your instructor. Get plenty of rest prior to your lessons and remember, it’s just like a dual-carriageway but just a little bit wider and faster!
Do your homework!
If you’re revising for your theory test, make additional notes on motorway driving so you can adopt these on your lessons. Motorway signs are a lot different to normal road signs, so every effort should be made to familiarise yourself with them prior to driving.
Looking for Learner Driver Insurance?
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