Behaviours Around Learners

2 September 2024

“Leave extra room around learners” warns AA Driving School, after one in ten admit they don’t leave enough space when following a car with L plates.

New research* conducted by The AA Driving School reveals 2% of drivers admitted to tailgating learners and 11% admitted they didn’t leave more space in front of themselves if they are following someone with L plates.

The figure is slightly higher among younger drivers than older ones for tailgating and less younger drivers leave more space in front of themselves than older drivers do.

25% of respondents said that they would be more likely to overtake a learner driver. Again, this was higher in the younger age categories than older, with Northern Ireland the area of the UK most likely to do this with almost half (49%) of drivers saying they would.

Displaying an L plate indicates a driver is unqualified and still under supervision – The AA Driving School surveyed qualified driver different behaviours around learners. Whilst some of the positive behaviours scored highly such as two thirds giving way to learner drivers, some of the negative behaviours scored worryingly highly too.

"It’s important other road users treat learners, and new drivers, with patience and sympathy – after all, they were in their shoes once."

Other negative behaviours the survey questioned included changing routes to avoid a learner driver (18%) and being less likely to give way to a learner – 10%. 14% of drivers admitted they get impatient when following a learner driver.

These figures broadly remain the same as a similar survey of drivers 5 years ago.**

The new survey also looked at attitudes to newly qualified drivers who choose to display a P plate. Almost a third (28%) admitted to not leaving extra space or tailgating someone displaying a P plate (1%).

Drivers also admitted they get impatient when following a car displaying P plates (7%); change routes to avoid a driver displaying a P plate (6%), and are less likely to give way to a car displaying P plates (7%).

Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving School, said: “It’s alarming so many drivers don’t give learners the respect they deserve when they meet them on the roads. Especially worrying is that the age group most guilty of this are the ones who have recently passed their tests.

“Gaining lots of on-road experience prior to passing their test is really valuable for learner drivers. It’s important other road users treat learners, and new drivers, with patience and sympathy – after all, they were in their shoes once. A bit of extra room can help ease the pressure on a new or learner driver, as well as giving you more space and time to react should they do something unexpected.

“Thankfully, there are plenty of drivers who do leave extra room for learners and are more likely to give way to them.”

Rule 217 of the Highway Code gives drivers advice on how to behave around learner and inexperienced drivers.

Rule 217

Learners and inexperienced drivers. They may not be so skilful at anticipating and responding to events. Be particularly patient with learner drivers and young drivers. Drivers who have recently passed their test may display a ‘new driver’ plate or sticker (see ‘Safety code for new drivers’).

*Yonder received 11,272 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 13th June and 1st July 2024 Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

**Yonder received 17,930 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 15th and 22nd October 2019. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.