LEARNER drivers will be allowed to practise on motorways for the first time, if a government plan to improve road safety is given the go-ahead.

This could see learners driving on busy Hampshire roads including the M27 and M3 – where several traffic incidents occur weekly.

Under current rules, first-time drivers make their way on to motorways after they pass their test, having had no training on the 70mph roads.

However, Transport Minister Andrew Jones has now announced plans which would allow approved instructors to take “competent” trainees with driving experience onto motorways in dual-controlled cars.

“We have some of the safest roads in the world and we want to make them even safer,” said Mr Jones.

“These changes will equip learners with a wider range of experience and greater skill set which will improve safety levels on our roads.”

Plans also include motorcyclists having to take a theory test as part of the compulsory basic training (CBT) course, which allows the bikes, as well as mopeds, to be ridden unaccompanied.

Hampshire county councillor Rob Humby, executive member for environment and transport, agreed that the plans were a good move.

“Evidence shows that young drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash on the roads, often due to inexperience and a lack of knowledge of the risks,”

he added.

“These Government proposals for learners to use motorways with an approved driving instructor in a dual-controlled car seem a sensible way for learners to gain experience.”

RAC Foundation director, Steve Gooding, added: “The casualty statistics tell us that motorways are our safest roads, but they can feel anything but safe to a newly qualified driver heading down the slip road for the first time to join a fast moving, often heavy, flow of traffic.

“Many are so intimidated by the motorway environment that they choose instead to use statistically more dangerous roads, so we welcome this move which will help new drivers get the training they need to use motorways safely.”

The changes could come into force in 2018.

However, it was also claimed the Government was considering making learner drivers undertake 120 hours of training before taking their tests, but the Department for Transport said there were “no current plans” for such a measure.

A spokeswoman said: “We have commissioned a £2 million research programme that will look at ways we can reduce the number of accidents involving new and inexperienced drivers, and this will look at a range of measures.”