Why do learners not learn on the Motorway?
Discussion
I never really thought about it when I was learning to drive (around 7 years ago) but why are learners not taught how to drive on the motorway?
The number of people I know who are scared of slip roads and are dangerous when joining motorways because they have no idea how to do it is scary. One girl I know would rather fall asleep at the wheel than pull into a services for a rest as she is too scared about rejoining the motorway.
I imagine this would also account for the amount of poor lane discipline there is on the Motorways these days. No one has taught them where they should be. The same people mentioned above are also the same that will get in the middle lane and sit there as they feel safer in the middle.
Learners that take Pass Plus are taught the very very basics of motorway travel but (from my experience) very few new drivers bother to take pass plus.
Why is Motorway driving not a compulsory part of learning to drive and why is it not part of the test?
The number of people I know who are scared of slip roads and are dangerous when joining motorways because they have no idea how to do it is scary. One girl I know would rather fall asleep at the wheel than pull into a services for a rest as she is too scared about rejoining the motorway.
I imagine this would also account for the amount of poor lane discipline there is on the Motorways these days. No one has taught them where they should be. The same people mentioned above are also the same that will get in the middle lane and sit there as they feel safer in the middle.
Learners that take Pass Plus are taught the very very basics of motorway travel but (from my experience) very few new drivers bother to take pass plus.
Why is Motorway driving not a compulsory part of learning to drive and why is it not part of the test?
Edited by Deluded on Wednesday 2nd February 10:57
You're not even allowed on the motorway on a provision licence, let alone required to do it. I would have thought that any good driving instructor would teach you to drive on dual carriageways, though. Mine certainly did (and indeed there was a section of dual carriage way on my test route).
kambites said:
You're not even allowed on the motorway on a provision licence, let alone required to do it. I would have thought that any good driving instructor would teach you to drive on dual carriageways, though. Mine certainly did (and indeed there was a section of dual carriage way on my test route).
Mine also took me on Dual Carriageways and when I passed I done "Pass Plus" which we basically spent 8 hours driving on Motorways. I had no problem with them anyway, they're just abit bigger than DCs. I don't agree with learners on the motorways, too many idiots as it is let alone adding a scared learner to the mix.
I agree - should be part of the test or lessons. However I learnt in Cornwall, one and a half hours away from the nearest motorway. This may or may not be a factor, I expect someone in a darkened room somewhere, who has never driven a car, let alone seen a motorway, decided it would be to unsafe...
kambites said:
You're not even allowed on the motorway on a provision licence, let alone required to do it. I would have thought that any good driving instructor would teach you to drive on dual carriageways, though. Mine certainly did (and indeed there was a section of dual carriage way on my test route).
I know that, but why? It's no more dangerous (in my opinion) than driving on an A-road and you pretty much reach the same speeds. Motorway driving is a big part of driving these days so surely it should be taught?
It may be like A road driving but it isn't the same. There are more rules and lane discipline is more important.
The motorway lesson is the one bit of pass plus that I think everyone should do. JonnyFive said:
I don't agree with learners on the motorways, too many idiots as it is let alone adding a scared learner to the mix.
Most of the idiots are probably the people who have never driven on a motorway, or rarely do. Surely if they learnt to drive on them in there test, they would at least have some experience.Deluded said:
JonnyFive said:
I don't agree with learners on the motorways, too many idiots as it is let alone adding a scared learner to the mix.
Most of the idiots are probably the people who have never driven on a motorway, or rarely do. Surely if they learnt to drive on them in there test, they would at least have some experience.You've just got to get on with it, but people get silly about motorways and build up a phobia of them.
Because they would kill us all....
No, I believe that a basic competency test like we have now is suitable, but I'd like a second test to gain an unrestricted licence which included motorway driving, driving at night etc.
One of the first things my dad did when I passed my test was renew his life insurance. The second thing he did was take me out and thrash me up and down between two junctions on the motorway - merging, re-joining, exiting, chnaging lanes and overtaking. I still remember every moment of that lesson, even though I've had far more advanced and better motorway instrucion since. It was a really good lesson and has probably saved my NCB on many an occasion.
No, I believe that a basic competency test like we have now is suitable, but I'd like a second test to gain an unrestricted licence which included motorway driving, driving at night etc.
One of the first things my dad did when I passed my test was renew his life insurance. The second thing he did was take me out and thrash me up and down between two junctions on the motorway - merging, re-joining, exiting, chnaging lanes and overtaking. I still remember every moment of that lesson, even though I've had far more advanced and better motorway instrucion since. It was a really good lesson and has probably saved my NCB on many an occasion.
There are large areas of the country with no motorway within at least 1 hours drive, never mind areas that are 5 or 6 hours drive, and that's not adding in ferries etc.
I don't think it is very practicle to expect someone in Shetland (as an extreme example) to have to learn as part of their lessons or be tested on a motorway.
I don't think it is very practicle to expect someone in Shetland (as an extreme example) to have to learn as part of their lessons or be tested on a motorway.
WeirdNeville said:
Because they would kill us all....
No, I believe that a basic competency test like we have now is suitable, but I'd like a second test to gain an unrestricted licence which included motorway driving, driving at night etc.
One of the first things my dad did when I passed my test was renew his life insurance. The second thing he did was take me out and thrash me up and down between two junctions on the motorway - merging, re-joining, exiting, chnaging lanes and overtaking. I still remember every moment of that lesson, even though I've had far more advanced and better motorway instrucion since. It was a really good lesson and has probably saved my NCB on many an occasion.
My dad did this too. Definitely helped a lot even if it was a case of doing as he said not as he did. Most of motorways is predicting traffic flow so that you never need to brake and never need to rely on having a powerful engine to get you past an elephant race.No, I believe that a basic competency test like we have now is suitable, but I'd like a second test to gain an unrestricted licence which included motorway driving, driving at night etc.
One of the first things my dad did when I passed my test was renew his life insurance. The second thing he did was take me out and thrash me up and down between two junctions on the motorway - merging, re-joining, exiting, chnaging lanes and overtaking. I still remember every moment of that lesson, even though I've had far more advanced and better motorway instrucion since. It was a really good lesson and has probably saved my NCB on many an occasion.
But I also agree any training should be a 2nd test requirement rather than before they've passed the normal test. Licence restrictions would be a good idea but I can't see how that can be enforced without filling the roads with cameras which I'm not a fan of.
WeirdNeville said:
Because they would kill us all....
No, I believe that a basic competency test like we have now is suitable, but I'd like a second test to gain an unrestricted licence which included motorway driving, driving at night etc.
One of the first things my dad did when I passed my test was renew his life insurance. The second thing he did was take me out and thrash me up and down between two junctions on the motorway - merging, re-joining, exiting, chnaging lanes and overtaking. I still remember every moment of that lesson, even though I've had far more advanced and better motorway instrucion since. It was a really good lesson and has probably saved my NCB on many an occasion.
I learnt from my Dad too, but in a different way. I used to watch his driving all the time and during trips down the M5 to Devon and Cornwall, I got to see how you should drive on a motorway. Luckily, his lane discipline and observation were spot on so I was fortunate I suppose.No, I believe that a basic competency test like we have now is suitable, but I'd like a second test to gain an unrestricted licence which included motorway driving, driving at night etc.
One of the first things my dad did when I passed my test was renew his life insurance. The second thing he did was take me out and thrash me up and down between two junctions on the motorway - merging, re-joining, exiting, chnaging lanes and overtaking. I still remember every moment of that lesson, even though I've had far more advanced and better motorway instrucion since. It was a really good lesson and has probably saved my NCB on many an occasion.
Toffer said:
Worst thing on motorways IMHO is "tail-gating"...not speed.
Inexperienced drivers should have the opportunity to use a private road (or old runway), to brake hard from 70mph...just to find out what it is like and to understand how long it can take to stop.
Maybe I'm lucky, but I have been driving for 20 years & have never had to brake hard on a motorwayInexperienced drivers should have the opportunity to use a private road (or old runway), to brake hard from 70mph...just to find out what it is like and to understand how long it can take to stop.
famous last words!
Dual carriageways are supposed to cover it, but for those learning in inner cities, like my ex did last year, they usually never go above 40mph. As a result, my ex was petrified of motorways, in and in fact driving above 40mph in general. In her own words: "I've passed first time, but I don't feel at all safe to drive on the roads, the test is inadequate". She's not driven since, and is planning on doing Pass Plus plus extra lessons beyond that when she can. Sadly most people aren't as sensible and diligent as her, and drive on the roads anyway, even if they don't understand what's going on and aren't safe...
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