Whether you’ve just started your driving lessons or you’re planning on starting, there’s one question that makes a lot of people anxious. 

‘Can a learner driver go on the motorway?’

The brief answer? Yes, learner drivers can go on the motorway, but only with a qualified ADI (approved driving instructor) in a dual-control car. 

Since the rule changed in June 2018, many people are still confused about the rules surrounding learner drivers and motorways. Today, we aim to clear up all the confusion and run through the new rules with you. 

Key summary

  • Learners are allowed on motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales—but not Northern Ireland.
  • The car must have dual controls and display L-plates.
  • You must be accompanied by an approved driving instructor (ADI)—this doesn’t include friends or family.
  • Driving on the motorway is not a part of the UK driving test.

The rules for driving on the motorway as a learner driver 

Before June 2018, provisional licence holders weren’t allowed to drive on the motorway before they passed their test.

But that begged the question: how can new drivers be prepared to handle the motorway when they’ve never encountered it? Now, driving instructors are allowed to take their learners on the motorway, as long as the following conditions are met:

  1. The instructor is qualified by the DVSA and carries a green badge in the windscreen of the car.
  2. The car you’re using to practise in has dual controls, so your instructor can step in if anything goes wrong.
  3. L-plates are displayed clearly at the front and rear of the car.

Why this change really matters

Changing Rule 253 of The Highway Code has made a significant difference in the confidence and experience of learner drivers. 

This comes after a survey of over 1,500 UK drivers found that 37% actively avoid motorway driving, with young drivers (under 24) showing the highest avoidance rates at nearly 50%.

As the motorway is a key part of driving, it’s vital that new drivers are best equipped to use it safely and comfortably. 

Is it compulsory to go on the motorway during driving lessons?

While it’s not compulsory to practice driving on the motorway during your lessons, it is a valuable experience to have before taking your test. 

Doing so better equips you for real-life driving situations once you’ve passed, instilling new drivers with more confidence and awareness of road safety on the motorway. 

You’ll learn how to manage lane discipline, deal with smart motorways, use slip roads, and handle breakdowns safely.

What You Can’t Do as a Learner

So, what are the things that you can absolutely NOT do when learning to drive on the motorway as a beginner driver?

  • You mustn’t drive on the motorway with a parent or friend who isn’t an ADI (even if they’re an experienced driver).
  • You mustn’t go straight onto the motorway before you’ve mastered the basics. A good instructor will only take you on when you’re ready.
  • Practice in your own car without instructor supervision. 

Is driving on the motorway part of the UK driving test?

No, driving on the motorway is not a part of the UK driving test. Instead, you’ll be expected to navigate residential roads, town centres, and dual carriageways correctly. 

As not every test centre has easy access to motorways, adding it in would make things unfair and inconsistent for many new drivers. It would also add a lot of time to the exam, making it longer than 40 minutes. 

However, even though it’s not on the test, getting motorway experience is one of the smartest things you can do before passing; it prepares you for driving on your own.

How many motorway lessons will I need?

You may not like this answer, but the number of lessons you need depends entirely on you. 

There is no set number of lessons you need to take to become skilled at the motorway. In fact, there is no set number of lessons you need just to take your driving test, either. It’s all down to the confidence, reaction time, and skill of the individual driver. 

Most motorway lessons last between 1 and 2 hours; you may feel fine after just one lesson, or it may take you three or four to get it down. 

Tips to make your first motorway lesson a success

If you’re feeling prepared to tackle the motorway with your driving instructor, here are a few tips to keep in mind to make the process easier:

  1. Make sure you already feel confident with dual carriageways, overtaking and changing lanes, staying calm on busy roads, and judging speed and distance. 
  2. Choose a quieter stretch of motorway (like the M57 or M58) to ease you in.
  3. Talk through the junctions you’ll use first with your instructor. 
  4. Practice your mirror-signal-manoeuvre when merging from a slip road and changing lanes. 
  5. Always stick to the left lane and only use the right lane when overtaking. 
  6. Keep your distance from other cars, especially lorries (avoid sitting in their blind spots). 
  7. Revise smart motorway signs before your lesson and stay alert when driving.

Become a confident driver with Ashley Neal

At Ashley Neal, we’ve helped hundreds of learner drivers build confidence, learn lane discipline, and tackle motorway journeys like a pro. 

Whether it’s your first time on the M62 or you’re gearing up for your test, our instructors are here for you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to face your fears and become the skilled driver you’ve been dreaming of, then take the first step and sign up for our driving lessons today! Our instructors are highly skilled and friendly, and will help you feel calm before every lesson.

Have you already passed your test, but you’re not quite ready to drive on the motorway alone? Our Pass Plus lessons provide new drivers with more guidance and practice for those areas that have you feeling anxious, like driving on the motorway!