A driving instructor has spoken out in support of letting learner drivers on to motorways.

Cars with L-plates on could soon be motoring along the M6 in Cumbria as as part of Government plans to allow rookie motorists on to motorways.

It's part of a bid by ministers to improve road safety and expose learner drivers to the country's fastest type of highway.

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.

But Transport Minister Andrew Jones has wants a law-change that would allow approved instructors to take “competent” trainees on motorways in dual-controlled cars.

The potential move has been welcomed by well-known Carlisle-based instructor John Clifford, of Eclipse Driver Training.

He told the News & Star: "Personally I think it's a good idea.

"A lot of instructors aren't sure but my view is that learner drivers can use dual carriageways which have the same speed limits as motorways much of the time. Plus there's no hard shoulder a lot of the time on dual carriageways which there are on motorways.

"There are few hazards on the motorway to teach people about slip roads and overtaking.

"In the Carlisle area you struggle to get out onto a dual carriageway as there aren't that many. So it makes sense to use the motorway for practice."

Mr Clifford added that it was a good idea to only allow certified instructors to take pupils out onto the motorway.

He also said that while Government ministers were thinking about overhauls of learning to drive it would also benefit rookies to have compulsory practice on rural roads, routes which are statistically more dangerous than main roads.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding and Neil Greig, policy director at the IAM RoadSmart charity, backed the proposal.

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.

CBT certificates will also be revoked if the motorist gets six penalty points if the proposal is approved.

Mr Gooding said: “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.”