Can Learner Drivers Drive On The Motorway?

Depending on how long you’ve thought about learning to drive, you may have heard before that you had to pass your driving test before being allowed to drive on Britain’s motorway network. That was indeed the case prior to 4 June 2018, at which point the law changed to allow motorway-based driving lessons.

As it stands currently, the answer is yes – you can drive on a motorway before you’ve passed your driving test. This applies to England, Wales and Scotland. You can’t head out in your own car with a family member on board, though. You need to drive with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls to avoid falling foul of the law.

Does this mean motorway driving is mandatory to pass?

No, absolutely not. You won’t have to drive on a motorway at any point in order to pass your driving test, and you won’t be expected to drive on one during your test.

Instead, motorway driving lessons are voluntary – and you can choose to do them if you (and your instructor) feel that you’re ready.

Why was the law changed?

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which is the Government body responsible for the driving test, motorway driving lessons were made legal to help learners…

• …Get a ‘broader experience’ of driving before taking their test
• Get training on how to join and leave the motorway, overtake and use lanes correctly
• Practice driving at higher speeds
• Understand motorway specific traffic signs
• Understand what to do if a vehicle breaks down on a motorway
• Improve their confidence to drive on the motorway unsupervised after passing their driving test

Mastering motorway driving is an integral part of becoming a safe, well-rounded driver, so if you get the opportunity to drive on one before you take your test, we’d certainly recommend it if you feel confident enough.

Ready to pass your driving test?

If you haven’t started learning to drive yet and are on the hunt for a company that can help you pass in no time, book your lessons online with us at GoGoGo Intensive driving school Peterborough. With pass rates well above the national average, our five-day courses really do work.