Learner Drivers Now Allowed On Motorways – Is It A Good Idea?

We spoke to a 17-year-old learner who drove on a motorway for the first time this morning.

Learner drivers are now allowed to take lessons on the motorway thanks to a change in the law, which hopes to help them gain confidence driving in different conditions.

Those learning to drive in England, Wales and Scotland will need to be accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a dual-controlled car to go on motorways, which have a speed limit of 70mph.

Molly Allen, 17, was one of the first learner drivers to have a lesson on the motorway since the law changed. She told HuffPost UK: “When my driving instructor picked me up and told me, I was excited but also nervous. Once I got onto the motorway it was definitely less nerve-wracking than what I expected it to be.”

For Allen, the law change is “the best decision” as it gives learners extra practice and helps them feel more comfortable on the roads. But how do experienced drivers feel about the change?

It would appear social media is divided, there are some who think learners are going to cause accidents and chaos.

How can learner drivers even be confident enough to go onto a motorway? The whole reason they weren’t allowed in the first place is because you needed a lot of experience and have a lot of hours behind the wheel. I really do think a lot of accidents are going to happen now x

— chris floyd (@mrchrisfloyd) June 4, 2018

gunna be gridlock on motorways now seeing as all learner drivers will be stalling on it

— joe (@jbjoebarrett) June 4, 2018

But others think the change is positive. One person said they can’t believe it’s not mandatory already, while another went as far as saying lessons on the motorway could be “life-saving”.

So many people handwringing about learner drivers on motorways. Honestly, would you rather their first time on a motorway was with dual-controls and an instructor, or on their own with zero confidence?

It’s barking mad that this hasn’t been mandatory already.

— 𝔻𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝔹𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕤 📝🇪🇺 (@denialvibes) June 4, 2018

Think it’s so good they’ve introduced driving on the motorway for learner drivers. Lane discipline, blind spot checks and knowing when to indicate is so important and potentially life saving and it isn’t necessarily taught in the same way during standard lessons!

— Skye (@skyesibt) June 4, 2018

#bbcbreakfast It's not learner drivers that are a problem on motorways, it's established drivers with bad habits that need instruction.

— Diane C (@dianec23a) June 4, 2018

I trust learner drivers more than I trust lorry drivers #M60 #M62 #BanLorryDrivers 😂 https://t.co/cQL5Z8NS3y

— Sham (@pp_sham) June 4, 2018

In our opinion, as frustrating as it can be when you're stuck behind a learner, it's positive news as they're likely to be more aware and experienced when they pass. Therefore, hopefully safer!

— Saxton 4x4 (@Saxton4x4) June 4, 2018

Taking advanced learner drivers onto motorways is a good idea imo, though it should be scheduled for off peak periods of course so probably best if it could be done in the evening after the rush hours but the experience gained could make a safer driver when the L plates go?!

— Shaun (@shaunksread) June 4, 2018

What do you think of the law change? Tweet us your views @HuffPoLifestyle.

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