Learner drivers on motorways

It's not just the newly qualified that need lessons on MWay driving,

Many "older" drivers need a refresher on motorway etiquette.

Lots  of  drivers  need  that  refresher,  Cariadon,  and  not  just  on  M-ways. Coming  off  a  retail  car park  in  Crewe  t'other  day  I  got  lots  of  " Hooting  "  &  gestures  just  because  I  allowed  a  couple  of  others  to  interleave.  It  pleased  them  but  caused  Great  Anger  in  the  car  behind  me.  

I seem to recall that, when learning to drive, my instructor used a lot of 'A' road, dual carriageways to show me what a motorway would be like.

As a result when I passed the test the motorway held no terrors for me (but of course, I put the fear of G into the people already on it)

Do not motoring schools do this these days?

Probably a good idea to get some Mway experience before being let lose. However, far too many 'drivers' still appear to think that motorways only have one lane - the middle one where they will sit at 65 mph.

I think its a good idea too.  Caradon makes a very valid point, there are far too many weekend or amateur drivers in the motorway these days. They sit in the middle lane,- lane 2, and appear not to realise that the correct running lane for all vehicles is lane 1.  Lanes 2 and 3 are both overtaking lanes.

I fully accept that the above is the theoretical ideal, and that in practise that means that a driver running at the  maximum 70 mph would as a result be weaving in and out constantly.  For them I accept that a return to lane 2 as soon as possible is the more sensible.  But there is no excuse for for the slower driver who sits in lane 2 when lane 1 is available to move into.

The standard of driving - especially at weekends, is often quite frightening for the experienced driver, used to the better motorway standards seen during the working week.  So any opportunity to teach new drivers good motorway practises can only be a good thing.

TF

One of our grandsons is about to apply for his first provisional and will have lessons from a professional even though I previously taught his dad who is a Class 1 HGV driver.  

There is an option for further lessons on motorway driving once he's passed his test.

Once he's passed he then has the daunting task of finding the funds for insurance.

I think learners should be taught motorway driving. We all experienced the first time we went down a slip road to join a motorway.  

We live in Pembrokeshire, 55 miles to the nearest motorway.

This would put 2 hour on a driving test or lesson.

I suppose the answer to those motorists who say that as they don't have any Motorways near them,  it doesn't apply in their case, is to agree with them- and issue them with a restricted licence which does not allow motorway driving  until they have received the required training!

It works very well with Pilots licences which allow pilot in command status to only those who have passed on that type of machine and under certain Met conditions.  i.e VMC, or IMC.

I'm sure that if such restrictions were imposed on car drivers they would quite quickly find time to get the required training in.  Simples!

TF

The way people are taught to drive is so different from when I passed my test.  I think the standard of driving is not as good as it was, or is it the "this is my road and I'll do what suits me" attitude.

I go along with that TF👍