A “NONSENSICAL and often fatal” policy of banning learner drivers from motorways until they have passed their test could be coming to an end, the UK Transport Minister has announced.
Under current rules, first-time drivers are only allowed on to motorways after they pass their test, having had no training on the 70mph-limit roads.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said the new policy would allow approved instructors to take “competent” trainees on motorways in dual-controlled cars. He said: He said: “These changes will equip learners with a wider range of experience and greater skill set that will improve safety levels on our roads.”
Driver training remains reserved to Westminster, so the change would also apply in Scotland.
The Scottish Government welcomed the move, but called on Westminster to go further and introduce graduate driver licensing (GDL). This places restrictions on new drivers, such as a ban on nighttime driving, lower speeds and a limit on the number of passengers, and is already enforced in Australia, New Zealand and parts of America.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We would support giving learner drivers the experience of driving in a variety of road conditions and road types, including motorways, while accompanied by a fully qualified driving instructor in a dual-controlled car.
“This measure is one of many components of a GDL scheme that also includes a prescribed minimum number of hours of driving before a test can be undertaken. We want to see Scotland’s road safety record further improved, and there is clear evidence a full GDL scheme would contribute to this.
“We continue to call on the UK Government to go further, or devolve powers to the Scottish Government to allow us to do so.”
Road safety organisations welcomed the UK Government’s proposal, saying it could ultimately save lives. Neil Greig, policy director at the IAM RoadSmart charity, said it was a “sensible and measured solution”.
”It makes no sense that new drivers learn by trial and, often fatal, error how to use our fastest and most important roads,” he said.
RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “The casualty statistics tell us motorways are our safest roads, but they can feel anything but safe to a newly-qualified driver heading down the slip road for the first time to join a fast-moving, often heavy, flow of traffic.
“Many are so intimidated by the motorway environment they choose instead to use statistically more dangerous roads, so we welcome this move, which will help new drivers get the training they need to use motorways safely.”
A spokesman for The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “Anything that will provide young drivers with more realistic training to prepare them for when they become independent drivers is good.
“Driving under the supervision of an approved driving instructor and practising entry and exit from slip roads and overtaking will be good experience for learner drivers. We would also be in favour of measures that included a minimum number of hours of training.”
A UK Government spokeswoman dismissed media reports it is considering making learner drivers undertake 120 hours of training – more than twice the present average – before taking their tests.
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