UK - Learner Drivers on the Motorway ?
 

This topic is bound to divide opinion..... :rant2:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17093564


What do you think ?

Personally, I'd like to see the introduction of a multi tier licence, firstly so people can get out on the roads and gain valuable experience, then a second tier to allow people to drive in darkness/adverse weather/motorways and a third tier to allow people to drive more powerful cars. Clearly, adverse weather is a tricky one...... you might set out in good weather etc etc.

I've recently been getting some instruction in the art of 'driver instruction', mainly to help my daughter get ready for her test (she isn't a natural driver, but she is learning and improving - practice practice practice...) , rather than looking at a career change! And when you do this properly, it's quite an eye opener and certainly lets you appreciate the fears and apprehensions a learner drive has to contend with. This is without impatient, bad and at times dangerous driving by some who seam to think they are 'good drivers' (even after I had him landed with a section 59.. in-car video is a great driver aid...)
I can't see putting a learner on the motorway is going to do anything to their confidence, other than destroy it in an instant. My view is you need to be able to drive a car without thinking about it before even considering the motorway.

But that's just my view, what do you think ?

Not sure what my opinion is on this yet, although my first thought is:

Why would learner drivers be any more dangerous on the motorway than on a non-motorway dual-carriageway?

In many ways, the motorway is safer - wider lanes, hard shoulder, etc. That works both ways though, you could make the argument that people can be given experience of multi-lane NSL dual-carriageways under the law as it stands.

I'm all for tiered licences. In Belgium already learner drivers are not allowed to drive during the night and weekends. I certainly wouldn't mind that be continued for some time even after they get their license.
Same for more powerful cars. At the moment there's only a rule that under 21 can't ride a +25kW motorcycle. I would applaud if that rule be expanded to anyone's first year(s) of riding after getting their license. And expand it to cars as well. It is utterly silly that an 20-year old cannot ride a +25kW motorcycle but can without any problems get into a Ferrari and go street racing.

I don't really agree with you about the motorways. It is perfectly legal for learner drivers to ride motorways in Belgium and it does not cause any problems. In my experience, having taught 2 people to drive motorways are probably one of the easier roads to drive on. The speed may be higher, but there's a lot less things to keep rack of. No oncoming traffic, no traffic lights, no intersections, no cyclists or pedestrians, ... My experience is that learner drivers find driving in the city a lot more stressful and difficult.

Further to this, and since you were fishing for a rant, I'd like to propose that at the start of every driving test, the learner should be asked to explain what a dual-carriageway is, and immediately failed if they make any comment about number of lanes.

Not at all, this place is full of experienced road users, seeking an opinion among peers is the cornerstone of a balanced view. duibhceK has pointed out some things I did not consider, however road manners on the mainland roads are far more acceptable than those in the UK, so this needs consideration also.



,,,,, there is a question in the theory test concerning 'dual carriageway' definition.

Yet I would bet there are people on this forum, old and young, who would get it wrong.


(I'm not seriously suggesting that this is the most serious flaw in the current driving test system by the way ;))

Yup. Agreed.

hi, just to add.
here in N ireland we also have a different approach, after passing the test a driver has to display 'R' plates[restricted] they are not supposed to exceed 45mph, are allowed access to all road types and do not require a qualified driver to be in the vehicle. this is for a year after passing the test

I think it is a good system, better than the mainland, pass the test and then full bore get into the full road network- not good, also experienced drivers have no idea that the newly graduated driver has little or no experience, at least the 'R' plate can allow a little leeway

i think it's mental to allow a 'new' driver straight access to motorways even a compulsary cbt type thingy would be more appropiate [no dictionary at hand]

A point to remember is that learner car drivers cannot drive a car by themselves without an instructor or qualified driver. What this proposal gives is motorway training before they can pass the driving test but must be with a qualified instructor. As such the instructor would be able to decide if the learner was competant enough to tackle motorway driving.

A bigger issue is the fact that learners are allowed on the road without ANY prior experience or ability with a non-qualified instructor in a non-dual controlled car.

Maybe motorway training should be obligitory AFTER passing the driving test but CBT MUST be obligitory before being allowed on the road with L-plates.

Once learners have passed their test I think a restricted licence is what todays roads need.

Might be a bit tricky to make that one work in some areas - there aren't any motorways here in Norfolk! It's 70 miles to the nearest motorway from where I live - you'd have to pay for nearly four hours of instructor time just to get there and back, never mind actually getting some experience on the motorway! There are a lot of folk here who've never been on a motorway, in fact I'm sure some don't even no what one looks like!