Skip advert
Advertisement

“Alarming” number of motorists don’t give learner drivers enough room

Despite the Highway Code instructing motorists to be “particularly patient” when it comes to learner drivers, the AA says an alarming number “don’t give learners the respect they deserve”.

REd driving school, learner driver

Over one in ten motorists do not leave enough space when travelling behind learner drivers, with a quarter stating they would be more likely to overtake a vehicle displaying an ‘L’ plate – despite instructions from the Highway Code. 

The findings are from a new survey by the AA, which also found that 11 per cent of drivers don’t leave additional room when following learners. This is despite the fact that the Highway Code instructs drivers to do so as: “They may not be so skilful at anticipating and responding to events.”

Furthermore, 25 per cent of respondents in the 12,000-person survey said they’d be more likely to overtake a learner and 14 per cent admitted that they’re likely to get a lot more frustrated when driving behind someone with an ‘L’ plate on the back of their car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

According to the Highway Code, motorists should “be particularly patient with learner drivers and young drivers”. Thankfully, a quarter of drivers said they’d be more likely to give way to a learner, while almost one in five (18 per cent) said they’d change their route to avoid being stuck behind and potentially tailgating someone that’s learning to drive.

The managing director of the AA’s Driving School, Camilla Benitz, described the number of motorists failing to give learner drivers enough room as “alarming”.

“Especially worrying is that the age group most guilty of this are the ones who have recently passed their tests,” she said. “It’s important other road users treat learners, and new drivers, with patience and sympathy – after all, they were in their shoes once.”

This news comes as earlier this year, the AA reported that over half of drivers think the issue of tailgating is getting worse. The motoring association also claims that: “Three in 10 drivers admit they haven’t looked at the Highway Code since they passed their test,” with recent research showing that over half of drivers weren’t aware of the Code’s ‘hierarchy of responsibility’ designed to protect vulnerable road users. 

Getting ready to take your driving test? Here's how to prepare and pass first time...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him throwing away his dignity by filming videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Cheapest cars to insure in the UK 2025
Cheapest cars to insure - header image

Cheapest cars to insure in the UK 2025

These are the cars with the lowest insurance group ratings in the UK today
Best cars & vans
22 Jan 2025
Best learner driver cars 2025
Best learner driver cars - header image

Best learner driver cars 2025

Easy to drive, affordable, and inexpensive to run, these are our top 10 used cars to learn in
Best cars & vans
14 Jan 2025
Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives
Kia's UK boss, Paul Philpott standing next to a Kia EV6

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives

Brand CEO says ZEV mandate is a threat, asking for clarity from the Labour government
News
6 Jan 2025
Best first cars for new drivers 2025
Best first cars - header image

Best first cars for new drivers 2025

These are the best cars for first time drivers, all of which are cheap, easy to drive and safe
Best cars & vans
6 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month
Mazda 3 front corner tracking

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month

Mazda’s high-quality family hatch might cost less than you expect with low initial payment and monthly fee
News
2 Feb 2025
Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head
Electric company car megatest - header

Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head

Drivers are spoiled for choice in the flourishing EV company car market, but which of our six rivals does the business?
Car group tests
3 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts