Learning to drive.

[overherebc]

News today from UK that within a few months learner drivers will be allowed on the motorways. One main condition is that the car must have dual controls.

Any thoughts out there?

[Kwasaki]

Good idea should be part of their driver training,  once their competent enough.

When one of my daughters passed her test l accompanied  her on the motorway just as l did her mum when she had passed her test.

Thai learners should have a road test as well instead of driving around small test centre on their own.

[chickenslegs]

Seems that most UK motorways are now great places to practice driving in and out of traffic cones.

 

Seriously, I think a "learner" driver needs to have reached a reasonable level of skill before being allowed onto a motorway. At 70+ mph everything happens very quickly - and "learners" need extra time to think. Also, if they drive much slower than the max limit it could cause problems for others.

 

Plenty of non-motorway multi-lane roads in the UK where conditions are almost identical to motorways, but average speed is lower.

 

I believe that UK Driving Schools give specific motorway tuition - after a successful driving test, which seems most sensible.

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Seems that most UK motorways are now great places to practice driving in and out of traffic cones.

 

Seriously, I think a "learner" driver needs to have reached a reasonable level of skill before being allowed onto a motorway. At 70+ mph everything happens very quickly - and "learners" need extra time to think. Also, if they drive much slower than the max limit it could cause problems for others.

 

Plenty of non-motorway multi-lane roads in the UK where conditions are almost identical to motorways, but average speed is lower.

 

I believe that UK Driving Schools give specific motorway tuition - after a successful driving test, which seems most sensible.

I would reckon one of the biggest problems, and not the only one, is learning actually getting onto the motorway at the correct speed.

When I started it was so long ago that most of the cars on the road were flat out at 85mph and took 4 miles to get to that speed. By the time I got my 'E' the limit was 70 anyway. Had to go to Germany with it to enjoy it. 

The scariest thing for newbies to join the motorway has to be the fact that the left hand lane is most likely to be a convoy lane for 30 ton plus trucks all doing around 60mph.

[cooked]

I used the motorways with my 'L' displayed on the back quite legally a long time ago. I remember seeing if my dad's Jaguar could manage 100mph.

It did.

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, cooked said:

I used the motorways with my 'L' displayed on the back quite legally a long time ago. I remember seeing if my dad's Jaguar could manage 100mph.

It did.

My understanding is that it has never been legal to do so.

Of course there's nothing wrong with having L plates on the car on the motorway but only if the driver has a full licence.

[Lancashirelad]

 

 

On 15/08/2017 at 2:47 AM, overherebc said:

My understanding is that it has never been legal to do so.

Of course there's nothing wrong with having L plates on the car on the motorway but only if the driver has a full licence.

Quite so, likely to get stopped if on the m/way displaying L plates as car learners are not currently allowed. Heavy Goods vehicle and Passenger Carrying vehicle learners are and have been allowed as they already hold a full car licence.

The take up rate of voluntary post test m/mway lessons with instructors is low, most don't want to spend more money.

Its a very good idea providing instructors use discretion and do not take those who are not ready onto the m/way just as you would not take a novice into a city centre.

They will probably already have experience  driving at 70 on dual carriageways (though most in my area have had the limit reduced to 50).

Lorries are electronically limited to 56mph (90kph) under power on the flat.

I was a part time ADI for 24 years.

 

Relevance to Thailand?

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, Lancashirelad said:

 

 

Quite so, likely to get stopped if on the m/way displaying L plates as car learners are not currently allowed. Heavy Goods vehicle and Passenger Carrying vehicle learners are and have been allowed as they already hold a full car licence.

The take up rate of voluntary post test m/mway lessons with instructors is low, most don't want to spend more money.

Its a very good idea providing instructors use discretion and do not take those who are not ready onto the m/way just as you would not take a novice into a city centre.

They will probably already have experience  driving at 70 on dual carriageways (though most in my area have had the limit reduced to 50).

Lorries are electronically limited to 56mph (90kph) under power on the flat.

I was a part time ADI for 24 years.

 

Relevance to Thailand?

Suppose not relative to Thailand just motoring related. Or maybe for expat out here whose son/daughter back in UK might be learning to drive.

[Kwasaki]

On 8/15/2017 at 8:47 AM, overherebc said:

My understanding is that it has never been legal to do so.

Of course there's nothing wrong with having L plates on the car on the motorway but only if the driver has a full licence.

P plates

You can display green ‘probationary’ P plates to show that you’ve just passed your driving test. You don’t have to display them. You can leave them on your vehicle for as long as you like.