Learner drivers will be able to take driving lessons on motorways before passing their driving test under new plans announced last week by Transport Minister Andrew Jones.

At present, you can only have driving lessons on motorways after you've passed your driving test. But under the new plans, learner drivers will be able to drive on the country's motorways provided they are accompanied by an approved driving instructor and are in a car fitted with dual controls.

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said: "We welcome these plans. Anything that will provide young drivers with more realistic training to prepare them for when they become independent drivers is good." Any motorways lessons would be voluntary. It would be up to the driving instructor to decide when the learner driver is competent enough to have a motorway lesson.