The thought of driving on the motorway can be scary for a lot of new drivers. Amid the high-speed traffic, multiple lanes and complicated junctions, it’s a big part of becoming a competent driver. But a common query we get asked is: can learner drivers drive on the motorway without a full licence?
Learner drivers in the UK can use the motorway, but there are a number of conditions and rules that need to be adhered to. Can learner drivers drive on the motorway without a full license? We look into it in this blog and answer what conditions are attached, as well as how to prepare for motorway driving. This guide from Learn And Drive UK is here to give you all the information you need if you are a learner or are thinking about learning to drive.
Are Learner Drivers Allowed on The Motorway UK?
Yes, learner drivers can drive on the motorway in the UK; however, there are a few terms and conditions.
Intoduction to Motorway Driving Rule change: learner drivers are now able to take motorway lessons with a approved driving instructor in a car that displays L plates Previously, someone learning to drive would have been prevented from taking lessons on a motorway, but under the new legislation learner drivers can now: gain valuable experience driving at higher speeds get practice on how to join motorways, how to pass exits, and how to use lanes correctly get training on effective observation and planning skills practice reacting and responding to other traffic on a motorway commence lessons with an instructor and have a lesson with a friend or relative It has been suggested that a motorway lesson could be useful if it is something that a student wanting to take lessons has difficulty in grasping. It is all part of a wider campaign to better equip new drivers for the white-knuckle driving conditions – fast, busy roads – that so many now have to deal with.
But here are some crucial things to bear in mind:
1. You Need to Be With An Approved Instructor or Another Qualified Driver
To drive on the motorway as a learner, you need to be with an instructor. That may be a driving instructor with an approved driving instructor (ADI) licence, or simply a qualified driver (someone with a full UK driving licence for at least three years).
This implies that a learner driver may not drive on the motorway on his or her own or with an unqualified driver. A driving instructor, or an experienced driver, is required to ensure that the learner is supervised – an important safety matter given that the learner driver will be on the road in high-speed environments.
2. It’s Got to be a Driving Lesson from a Professional
You can’t just take your car out and drive on a motorway with a friend or family member who has a full license. Teaching how to drive on the motorway is best done as part of a course of driving instruction. This means that if you want to use the motorway as a learner, it will need to be under the guidance of an approved driving instructor signed up with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency).
The teacher will notice how safely you drive and whether you’re aware of motorway laws, e.g. joining and leaving a motorway, using the correct lane and recognising motorway signs.
3. Provisionally Licensed. Have you been licensed?
For a learner to be able to drive on the motorway, they must have a valid provisional driving licence. This is because by this time, you should have taken your eyesight test, paid your fees and fulfilled the medical and age conditions to obtain a provisional licence in the UK.
They do not allow you to drive on the motorway with someone who has a valid full driver’s licence, or unsupervised, without being properly licensed.
Why learn to drive on the motorway?
The motorway is an important aspect of learning how to become a competent and confident driver. These are just a few of the reasons why it is so important to get big L learners onto motorways.
1. More Realistic Real World Preparation
Motorway driving is a key aspect of driving in the UK. When you pass your driving test, chances are you will use some major roads at some stage – whether you’re heading on a long-distance journey away on a holiday or from work (after all, those of us in the UK spend an awful lot of time on motorways).
Getting onto the motorway while you are still learning to drive will give you hands-on experience of driving at high speeds – you’ll, after all, be driving at high speeds to avoid being a hazard! – and you get to figure out how to handle these traffic conditions, as well as the specifics involved in dangerous driving and lane discipline, and even the best way to drive over speed bumps.
2. Train Yourself to Drive at Faster Speeds
Motorways are high-speed: very often, cars are driving at 60 – 70 mph( +). The opportunity to learn properly when to overtake, how to judge a safe distance, and how to approach an exit and entrance lies at the heart of controlling high-speed driving.
3. Gain Confidence
It’s natural to be apprehensive about motorways when you are still a relatively new driver, though with a good teacher right next to you, that experience will undoubtedly give you confidence. You’ll discover how to get through the lanes safely, how to vary your speed and how to look out for and follow road signs on busy roads, all of which are important if you want to pass your driving test and become a confident driver.
Motorway Driving Lesson – What to Expect
As a learner driver, if you’re wondering what to expect from a motorway lesson, here’s what learners should know:
1. Motorway Rules and Signs in Brief
Your instructor will begin with the motorway-specific rules and regulations, such of this is speed limits, lane usage and road signs. We’ll show you how to interpret motorway road signs (ie ones that refer to exits and junctions) in full.
2. Entry and Exit from the 60 Zone Safely
Your trainer will teach you how to get on and off the motorway safely and securely, something that can be difficult for new drivers. This will include how to join a motorway from a slip road and how to locate the right gap in the traffic, as well as how motorway junctions work.
3. Lane Discipline
Motorways consist of several lanes, so good lane discipline is vital. Your teacher will tell you when to be in which lane and how to move to a different one safely. You’ll also learn the rules for overtaking and how to use speed and distance to overtake without any risks.
4. Handling High-Speed Traffic
Driving can be intimidating at high speeds, but it is a must to know how to keep a safe distance from other vehicles, adjust your speed as necessary, and stay focused on the road.
Do You Need To Wait Until You’ve Passed to Motorway Drive?
Driving on the motorway as a learner driver can be useful, but it’s not something you must do to pass your driving test. Style of Redding: The majority of your test will focus on your driving on the road under normal traffic conditions. But getting experience on the motorway rather than waiting until after you pass will help you become a better, safer driver in the long term.
Conclusion
Learn and drive UK is allowed to drive on the motorway, as long as it is under certain conditions. You must be accompanied by an instructor or someone who is over 128192 who has held their licence for under 3 years, and the drive must be a part of professional driving tuition. This gives learners the opportunity to learn the points associated with high-speed driving, which is important if you want to be a safe driver.
At Learn and Drive UK, our expert instructors provide excellent driving lessons – including motorway driving instruction – for you to feel confident and capable behind the wheel. Learner Motorway Driving. If you are a learner and want to try motorway driving in a safe and secure area, book your first lesson with us now at WWW.LearnandDrive.UK.