Changes to the law mean learner drivers in England, Scotland and Wales can now take lessons on the motorway. Would you make further changes to the way we learn to drive?
Back in 2015, we asked if the driving test was starting to show its age as it hit its 80th birthday. Many of us queried certain aspects of the one-off test, and just how prepared we were to hit the road solo.
I’d almost forgotten that I’d left a lengthy comment at the time, questioning just how ready I was to drive on my own as a 17 year-old.
Fully comprehensive?
I remember being overjoyed to pass first time back in January 2007 – I hadn’t completely expected to as I knew I had weaknesses. My parallel parking left a lot to be desired and I tried to avoid hill starts where I could.
Fortunately for me I had a very good day – everything I did went well, and parallel parking didn’t even come up. I was delighted to get it out of the way.
It wasn’t until I left later in the evening to go out on my own that I suddenly felt a little underprepared. All my official lessons had taken place during daylight hours, I’d never been on the motorway, and I didn’t realise until halfway up the road that I wasn’t sure where the windscreen washer controls were on the car I was lucky enough to own – and it was filthy!
Whether it’s the weather, traffic conditions or the time of day, there are so many variables. While my lessons had been fantastic in teaching me the basics and how to tackle the intricacies of the test, I couldn’t help but feel like there was so much more to learn. Yet here I was, out on my own.
What would you change?
Allowing learners to have lessons on the motorway seems like a positive step to get younger drivers extra experience, and definitely a better option than leaving them to pick it up as they go along.
These changes to the law are now in place, but do you think they go far enough? Should motorway driving be a part of the test itself?
Perhaps a number of lessons/tests each specialising in certain conditions (rush-hour traffic etc) should also have to be completed/passed first? I know that would be my preference. Let us know what you’d change.