The move is part of Government efforts to better prepare young people for driving safely on the roads after passing their test.

 

Learners who are ready to take their test will be allowed to have motorway driving lessons with an approved instructor, using a dual controlled car displaying ‘L’ plates. These lessons are voluntary and it is up to the instructor to decide when the learner is ready to drive on a motorway.

 

“It has never made sense to us that new drivers on our most important roads learned how to use them by trial and potentially fatal error,” said road safety group IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research Neil Grieg, who welcomes the law change as “common sense”.

 

He added that the use of approved instructors and dual controlled cars is “a welcome safeguard” that will ensure consistent levels of training and a phased introduction to motorway driving skills.

 

Highways England – which operates England’s motorway network – has also welcomed the move which is says will help to develop a smarter generation of motorway road users.

 

But road safety organisation Brake urges the Government to go much further. “Improvements in UK road safety have stagnated in recent years and a step change is required,” said its director of campaigns Joshua Harris.

 

The group calls for the introduction of a comprehensive graduated driver licencing (GDL) system across the UK. This would include a 12 month ‘learner’ period followed by an initial test, and then a two year ‘novice’ period when drivers can travel independently but with restrictions such as a late night driving curfew.

 

“Young people are disproportionality at risk on our roads – 7% of the driving population but involved in a fifth of all road deaths – and this is ultimately down to inexperience,” added Joshua Harris. “GDL is proven to deliver for some of our most vulnerable road users and must be implemented as a matter of priority.”

 

♦ Alongside this week’s change in the law, a free online ‘Driving Hub’ has been launched which aims to help improve learner drivers’ safety awareness. A series of instructional learning modules are included covering topics including safety checks, driving on high speed roads, reading the road, being a considerate driver and managing incidents and breakdowns.

 

The website – drivinghub.co.uk – was set up by Highways England alongside the Department for Transport, DVSA, DVLA, the Driving Instructors Association, Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council, Motor Schools Association of Great Britain and Trak Global.