LEARNING ON THE MOTORWAY

From June 2018 a change in the law allowed learner car drivers in England, Scotland and Wales to take driving lessons on motorways. Previously learners were only able to have motorway lessons after passing their driving test.

Motorway lessons are voluntary and the learner driver needs to be accompanied by an approved driving instructor driving a car fitted with dual controls.

In January 2020 the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) began a survey of newly qualified drivers to find out how effective this change has been. In particular if learners had taken motorway driving lessons and if so whether practising on motorways helped them prepare for their future life as a qualified driver.

This survey was put on hold due to the pandemic. The DVSA have now announced that they will be restarting the survey.

It is important that suitable policies are in place where you have employees who drive as part of their work, especially for newly qualified drivers. Please speak to your normal PIB Risk management contact or get in touch using [email protected] if you have any questions or would like assistance with developing a safe driving or occupational road risk policy.