Should Motorway driving be part of the standard driving test and why?

Answer 1

Some people in Britain live very far from a motorway, particularly in the north of Scotland, so it wouldn't be practical. Imagine if you lived in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides; after driving 30 miles to Tarbert you'd have to catch a ferry, which takes an hour to get to Uig on the Isle of Skye. Then another 45 minutes to the bridge linking Skye to the mainland; then you may be able to make it to the M8 near Glasgow in three more hours if you're lucky!

Answer 2

I think there should be a 2-stage test: first stage qualifies you to drive on non-motorway roads, second qualifies you on motorways. However as other posters have pointed out this would be a problem for people who do not live near a motorway, for whom arranging lessons and taking the test would be prohibitively expensive and inconvenient. No easy answer to this one, but against that must be weighed the improvement in road safety.

I admit I was scared stiff when as a newly-qualified driver I made my first motorway journey and a 2nd stage test would have helped.

Although motorways are statistically safer than other roads, many drivers resort to dangerous habits, e.g. tailgating at high speed, 'hogging' the central or inside lane, driving at 80, 90 or even 100mph, changing lanes without indicating and (worst of all imo and the cause of many a missed heartbeat), overtaking, then cutting left across 1 or 2 lanes at the last minute to take an exit.

A 2nd stage test would (I hope) help to cut such habits down.

Answer 3

Motorway driving lessons and examination should be mandatory within a time limit of passing a standard driving test, possibly as part of the Pass Plus Test.
It would be difficult for many to have access to a motorway. I had been driving for about 2 years before I went on a motorway because the nearest one was about 100 miles from where I lived.

Answer 4

The reason given by the government as to why motorway driving is not included in the test is that in certain areas of the UK there are no motorways?
I think that given the danger of allowing new driver to drive on motorways it is essential that motorway driving becomes compulsory.
If you unfortunately live in an area of the UK (Small island in the north sea) then you will either have a restricted license or you will need to travel to an area that has motorways to do you test.

Answer 5

Not part of the standard, but should be tested BEFORE people are allowed to drive on the motorway. I've seen too many people using onramps the wrong way, ie: slowing down and waiting for a gap in traffic instead of speeding up to match a gap. the first method is dangerous, as you are entering the motorway at an extremly lower speed than the other traffic, and it also makes it unsafe and difficult for traffic following the slower driver down the onramp

Answer 6

I was hoping that a simple Yes! would suffice but the answers there already lead me tot think that this debate is not as simple as it first seams. A yes would mean learner drivers on motorways, a no more bad motorway drivers. Maybe the answer is a separate motorway test after you have passed the 'road' and theory tests........... and you cant drive at all on motorways until you passed the 1st two.

Glad that's sorted now.

Answer 7

No, because as it would be rather dangerous seeing as learner drivers currently aren't allowed on the motorway + not everyone has easy access to a motorway to be tested on....... like here in Whitby the nearest stretch of motorway is the A1(M) just to the West of Darlington (40miles if you take an "as the crow flies" measurement on Google Earth), which is much too far to go in the time limit for a driving test I believe....... I takes about an hour just go along the A171 road over the Moors and get as far as the bit of Middlesbrough where Middlesbrough General hospital + Ayrsome Park football Stadium used to stand.
While the next nearest, I believe, is a stretch of A1(M) in between where York & Harrogate is (and it takes the Yorkshire Coastliner Bus 2hrs just to get as far as the Stonebow in York City centre).

+ I found out the last time I could afford to learn to drive, that magnetic L plates tend to part company with the car above 50mph unless you stick them down with electrical insulation tape.

Answer 8

Why special treatment for motorways?
Traffic is moving in a single direction, no one is overtaking coming towards you on a blind bend!
Information should be given as to how to enter a flow of traffic at the speed of the main carriageway (whether it be a motorway or dual carriageway), how to use the lanes correctly, ie move left having made a passing manouver, allow a faster driver to pass you on the correct side (your place is not to determine if another driver wishes to break the law),
Can you imagine what the M6 / M5 junction wouold be like if all the L plated Corsa's and Ka's decided to practice their 'Motorway Driving' at this bottle neck!
Perhaps more incentive should be directed to Advanced Driving.
+ of course the logistics of access to motorways for lots of people

Answer 9

No, the conditions are much too dangerous and daunting for anyone to go onto the Motorway with L Plates on, even if it is a short period towards their test. Motorway driving has an unseen effect on most drivers, they turn into a more ruthless band of people.
Once the person has passed basic test then yes there should be provision to allow them to take a couple of extra lessons with an advanced qualified instructor to go on to the Motorway and more advanced driving.

Answer 10

Yes, definitely. Motorway driving is a completely different driving experience to urban driving that involves different skills, driving techniques and even different rules. (eg minimum speed)

It should be compulsory before someone takes their test to have several hours motorway driving under their belt. Maybe this will help reduce motorway accidents and middle lane drivers.