"l" Drivers

[TWR]

8am BBC News, are going to be allowed on the UK Motorways! Is this safe?

[EDDIE51]

I have said on here many times that learning to drive should include Motorway driving. This is a good idea. It is only suggested that drivers under instruction from a qualified instructor can go on Motorways.So you can't just put on the L plates and get another driver to take you on the motorway.
Driving instructors are not going to allow a learner onto a Motorway until they are sure they are competent.
My driving instructor took me on to a dual carriageway that had not been designated as motorway and made me drive at 70 mph and learn to overtake correctly and to use the correct lane. I think all learners should be taught this.

[chrissa1]

Totally agree, Eddie.

[ummmm]

Don't all driving instructors take you on dual carriageways?

[EDDIE51]

Ummmm, No, there is NO requirement for L drivers to be instructed on dual carriageways. Instructors only have to teach you to drive in a town area and only within 30 mph limits.
Good instructors will take you on a dual carriageway but they do not have to,
it is NOT part of the driving test and they only have to teach to the test.

[hereIam]

I think it's a good idea. I am terrified of motorways and avoid driving on them at all costs, but maybe if I'd learned to drive on them back in the day ......

[Cloverjo]

I agree with hereiam. As I said previously, I am terrified of driving on motorways, and avoid them. It's very different to driving on dual carriageways, which I am very happy to do.

[Hopkirk]

I regularly drive on motorways with 40 and 50 mph limits.

[TWR]

I'll end my comment on my OP with, the "L" driver with a qualified driver is travelling along at 65>>70 MPH, lets say on the busy M25 with a Loaded artic following at 56MPH, an obstruction appears in the lane which they are both in the "L" Driver panics, this I will leave you with.

[Neveracrossword]

Do you feel your scenario would be more or less disastrous than if it involved a fully qualified, unaccompanied, driver who'd passed his/her test earlier that week?

[Tilly2]

This is one 'L' of a thread, TWR. Well done. :-)

[Hopkirk]

TWR, the artic driver is a professional.

He or she will have seen the fact it is a learner, and have assessed this as a possible hazard and be prepared for it. He or she will also have an excellent view over the car and have seen the obstruction early.

Also the learner will be accompanied by a trained instructor with dual controls.

I also see little difference to the current situation where these vehicles could be on a fast dual carriageway at the same speeds. The difference though is that on many motorways there may be the escape option of the hard shoulder. You could therefore argue that the motorway is marginally safer than what they currently contend with.

[Islay]

To TWR's latest scenario

It doesn't matter because the artic driver thinks stuff this the car is in the way, overtakes regardless of the cars because they think they know better than anyone else!

[Baldric]

Even though he's travelling @ 9 - 14 mph slower, yeah ok!!