Motorway Driving for Leaners

[milly143]

They are discussing this on the radio at the moment. They has been a suggestion that learner drivers should be made to take lessons on the motorway.

Do you think this is a good idea?

[SeaJayPea]

Good idea in an ideal world. Can't see it being put into practice, though, because there are very many people living in rural areas that have no realistic access to a motorway. Inverness is well over 100 miles from its nearest one, for example, and so is Penzance. This would mean that, including getting there and returning, a one hour lesson might easily take over five hours.

[NazNomad]

Depends ... if they lean into the other lanes, maybe it's dangerous.

[jake-the-peg]

Yes - that might be difficult in Cornwall.

Also there are a number of large A roads that are as near a motorway that makes no difference

[milly143]

The thing is, I remember about a week after I passed my test I decided to be a smart arse. My Dad had asked me not to go onto the motorway until he had a chance to come with me, so he could give me a few pointers but I decided I knew enough and wanted to go to Lakeside. I got on to the M25 and immediately freaked out. Being surrounded by lorries and cars doing 70mph I was not prepared and didn't know what to do. I somehow managed to get off safely at the next exit and made my way home on the A roads. I really think learners or new drivers should not be allowed on the motorway until they have had some sort of training but I can see your point SeaJay, that some people live miles away from a motorway and it would be difficult to get them to do it.

[NazNomad]

"... I decided I knew enough and wanted to go to Lakeside."

I hope, now you've experienced it, that you know enough NOT to want to go to Lakeside. ;-))

[milly143]

I never did make it there Naz. I don't think I'm missing much though.

[Old_Geezer]

One should learn to walk before one tries to run. Seems to me a reasonable thing to wait until one has a fair amount of experience as a qualified driver on the normal roads before having the nerve to try the inside lane of a motorway. Although ultimately it is experience of a particular road condition that brings confidence.

[ChuckFickens]

When I was learning I was taken on duel carriageways several times, which although not motorways should give you a good idea of the basics regarding lane discipline and dealing with faster traffic, but if going on such a road is not possible during lessons then I do believe that people should have training on motorways before they can drive on them.

[DEN53]

My son took his Pass Plus Test which includes motorway driving.

[ChuckFickens]

errrr, dual carriageways even.

[NazNomad]

pmsl @ Chuck's Freudian road-rage.

[andy-hughes]

I have always thought that passing your test before lunch, and roaring off down the M1 after lunch was not at all sensible.

You only have to look at the way people drive on motorways to see that they have no concept of keeping distance, making manoevers slowly with signals and so on, in fact the basic differences in motorway driving.

I think some xperience, and then some training is a god way forward, but it will cost money, so I'll forget all about it now ...

[McMouse]

I think they've already started on M25.

[Paul22118]

What about a two stage pass licence.

1. All roads except motorways with a maximum of two passengers.

2. All roads including motorways with a maximum of one passenger for twelve months
then after a year of experience let loose.


Discuss - including your options

[deggers316]

i think this is the only eu country where they dont go on motorways to get experience

[TWR]

Milly, I have in my years of M driving carnage, deaths, you name it like a few on here, I have been driving 35+years on HGVs & the things people get up to would open your eyes, Eg/ stopping in the outside lane to change a tyre the list goes on, I would advise anyone that thinks they can go straight onto a Motorway a drive & drive is out of their head, as said let the person start on a duel Carriageway first then go with someone that has done a lot of motorway driving, I've seen the smart @rses that think they can do it but they soon come un-stuck, motorway driving is a complete different kettle of fish, the speed, Instant fog, Idiots ( & there are many who do not give a sht) the years I've been driving but still learn & see something new.

[RAV1D]

Yer it is good idea coz theres not many cars on the motorway that actualy do 70mph as there limit.They think it's ok to do 80,90,100mph as nowadays almost every single car goes past me as im doing 70! none of them must of learnt the basic rules and laws on the motorway!