When did Motorway Driving Lessons start?
The then Road Safety Minister, Andrew Jones, proposed motorway driving lessons on 30 of December 2016. This is probably the biggest change in the way learner drivers are taught in many years. The thinking behind the move is that it helps learner drivers experience all different types of roads under the supervision of professional driving instructors. British roads are among the safest in the world and this measure helps to improve road safety even more.
Are Learner Drivers allowed on Motorways?
Motorway Driving Lessons – Intensive Courses in London
The new rules were introduced from the 4th of June 2018 and learner drivers of cars are now allowed to drive on motorways in England, Wales and Scotland but are only allowed to drive with a qualified driving instructor (ADI). Trainee driving instructors will not be allowed to take learner drivers on the motorways. So always check that your instructor is fully qualified; fully qualified driving instructors will hold a green badge while trainee driving instructors will hold a pink badge. On the government’s website, there is a list of who is allowed and not allowed on the motorways. It’s important to note that this change only applies to learner drivers of cars. Learner motorcyclists are not allowed on motorways. Motorway driving is not part of the driving test, it has been introduced to give learner drivers more experience on a broader number of roads before they take their driving test and so booking a motorway driving course is for you to become a better driver.
Do Learner Drivers Need To Take Motorway Lessons?
Learner drivers do not need to take motorway lessons before taking the driving test if they do not want to. It is the driving instructor’s decision if their learner drivers are up to a safe standard to be able to drive on the motorway. The driving instructor will need dual controls on the car they will be using for the motorway lesson with the learner drivers. The driving instructor will also have to have learner L plates on the car they are using for the motorway lesson, as this informs other road users that you are a learner. Your driving instructor should aim to cover all aspects of motorway driving. Please see below the DVSA’s aim when they instructed motorway lessons for learner drivers. It is not a comprehensive list but it will help learner drivers become safer drivers. Which is what every driving instructor strives for. Preparing drivers for a lifetime of safe driving, the changes are being made to 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
- Practise driving at higher speeds
- Understand motorway specific traffic signs
- Understand what to do if a vehicle breaks down on a motorway
- Improve their confidence to drive on the motorway unsupervised after passing their driving test
We believe the change to the UK law to allow learner drivers on the motorways with fully qualified driving instructors using dual controls will be of a great benefit, not only to learner drivers but also to all road users. It truly will make drivers in the future safer.
Motorway Rules – DVSA Theory Test Questions
Are you getting prepared to do your theory test? We are a certified DVSA Driving School to help you to pass your Theory & Practical Driving Test. See the Latest Questions below. Practice with 50 Motorway Rules questions from DVLA [WpProQuiz 13]
Motorway Driving Lessons – What’s next
Last updated: 11/11/2022