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Learners Drivers In The UK Can Take Lessons On Motorway From Today

Learners Drivers In The UK Can Take Lessons On Motorway From Today

The change in the law - which came into effect from midnight last night - is designed to help rookie drivers acclimatise to motorway driving

Will Fitzpatrick

Will Fitzpatrick

Exciting times for any novices looking to earn their driving stripes as soon as possible - learner drivers will officially be able to take lessons on UK motorways from today (Monday 4 June), as the UK government seeks to improve standards in road safety.

According to transport ministers, the change in the law - which came into effect from midnight last night - is designed to help rookie drivers acclimatise to motorway driving, as well as driving at higher speeds.

So if you've actually been putting off lessons because you're slightly terrified by the idea of being in charge of a big lump of steel that moves at high speeds, but your parents are starting to point out you probably owe them a few lifts after all the ones they've given you over the years... well, unlucky mate.

With drivers previously only having been able to hit the motorways after passing their test, this represents one of the biggest changes to affect driving in this country - and with the first UK motorway (the M1, self-explanatory fact fans) opening between 1959 and 1968, that's a long time for the previous rule to have been in place.

Learning to drive at the moment? You may now be itching to race down your nearest motorway to test out the skills you've not yet mastered... but hold your horses here, pal. You'll still need an approved instructor in the car, which will have to be fitted with dual controls.

Next - wind tunnel driving lessons.
PA

So don't go zooming off from town to town in your mum's hatchback with the stereo blaring just yet.

Road safety minister Jesse Norman commented: "Britain's roads are among the safest in the world, but road collisions remain the second biggest killer of young people.

"Allowing learner drivers to have motorway lessons with a qualified road safety expert will help more young drivers to gain the skills and experience they need to drive safely on motorways."

Well, let's hope. Data on British drivers shows that those aged 16-19 are a third more likely to die in a crash than those up to 30 years their senior, while one in four 18-24 year olds crashes within two years of passing their driving test. So you know, take care out there.

Does anyone actually rip up their L-plate? I don't remember doing this.
PA

According to the Daily Mail, 17-year-old Finbar King was the first learner driver to try out the new rules, hitting the road for a lesson at 12.01 this morning. Bloody hell mate, that's keen.

"It is different due to more lanes of traffic and indeed there were lots of lorries," he told the newspaper.

"The main worry is the lack of lay-bys when there is no hard-shoulder on the 'smart motorways' in case you break down. I would like to see more lay-bys.

"I also know that some left-hand drive lorries can sometimes just pull out as they have a blind spot so I try to give them more room."

The Mail adds that Finbar's dad is AA president, Edmund King - it's almost like someone here is trying to prove something, isn't it? Not sure I could've been arsed to take a lesson at midnight, personally, but maybe that's just me.

Still, Finbar made a valid point when asked if he thought the change was a good idea, saying: "Yes, I do, as it seems silly that you could pass your test and then five minutes later drive on a motorway alone without ever having been taught to do it safely."

Good point, well made.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Cars