Is It True?

[smartypants10101]

i heard that they are allowing L drivers onto the motorways now has anyone else heard the same?

[waterboatman]

Yes it's true, but only with their instructor and a duel control car.

[Buenchico]

^^^ 'duel'???

Pistols or swords, Boaty?

;-)

[Buenchico]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44350285

[waterboatman]

Well spotted chris. :o{

[EDDIE51]

Yes, and it should have been done years ago. A learner can go on a motorway in a dual control driving school car with a supervising instructor. The instructor can take over if the pupil needs help. So much better than the previous test where you can pass a driving test, never having been over 30mph ,and then go straight onto a motorway and drive at 70mph.

[10ClarionSt]

In some cases it doesn't matter because I know a few people who passed their tests years ago and have never been on the motorway because they're frightened of it. They're ladies, BTW.

[EDDIE51]

^ The only way that would work is if we had two types of driving licence. One that allows motorway driving and one that does not. It would be impossible to enforce. I know some people do not like motorway driving , that is the main reason it needs to be taught as part of driver training.

[douglas9401]

We've had that since the advent of the motorway, Eddie, provisional and full.

The first two or three tragic fireballs will tell if this is a good idea or not.

[waterboatman]

that's a bit pessimistic doug!

[Buenchico]

Driving on a motorway is far easier than driving on a really busy A-road.

For example, the A14 (which is just down the road from me) is one of the country's busiest A-roads, carrying loads of traffic to and from the biggest port in the country (Felixstowe). It's the extension of the M6 (with similar volumes of traffic) but with only two lanes for most of its length, far shorter slip roads and traffic entering and joining the main carriageway far more frequently.

If you can drive on the A14 at peak times, you can drive on any motorway in the country (which is probably fortunate, as we've not got a motorway within 50 miles of here, so learner drivers get all of their 'motorway' experience on the A14 anyway).

[ummmm]

Eddie, you do know learners are taken on national speed limit roads during lessons?

[EDDIE51]

^ Back in 1970 my instructor took me on the A1 dual carriageway and told me I had to do 70mph for several miles. It is just like a motorway.
He didn't have to , but he said it was good practice. Most instructors do not bother to do more than teach the minimum to pass the test.
Have any of you heard of 'Pass Plus' it is a voluntary extra test that includes motorway driving and night driving.If you pass it some insurers will give you a 25% discount on your first insurance policy.

[naomi24]

I can’t see the difference in ability between someone who’s a learner driver when he goes for his test to someone who half an hour later has just passed the test. Far better to learn to drive on a motorway in a dual control car with an instructor than to learn alone, which is what until now learner drivers have had to do.

[ummmm]

Eddie...going on the dual carriageway is part of the test.

[naomi24]

I was taken on major A roads when I was learning. I thought that was normal.

[ummmm]

It is, Naomi.

[naomi24]

It has to be. Imagine learning only on minor roads. A disaster waiting to happen!

[Peter Pedant]

duel
Pistols or swords, Boaty?

or custard pies - but make sure the fact is not obscured

[Ellipsis]

I want a duel control car.