FOLLOWING the announcement that learner drivers will be allowed on the motorway in a matter of months, a new study from Co-op insurance reveals that a quarter of drivers still feel nervous driving on the motorway.

The new study, conducted among north west drivers, reveals on average Brits took as long as 18 weeks before taking to the motorway after passing their test, with more than a quarter (28%) admitting that doing so makes them feel nervous.

A further 17% said that driving on the motorway made them feel intimidated and 7% said they were bored when driving on the motorway.

It’s for this reason, 80% of drivers have welcomed the change which will see learner drivers allowed to take lessons on the motorway from 2018.

Of those who support the law change, more than three quarters believe that it will give new drivers more confidence on the motorway and a third said it will help to keep roads safer.

When asked what their biggest concern was when driving on the motorway, almost half of north west drivers worried about driving in the rain, more than two fifths said they worried about being tailgated and 38% worried about other drivers drifting into their lane.

Top 10 biggest motorway fears:

1. 48% - Visibility in the rain

2. 44% - Being tailgated

3. 38% - Other vehicles drifting into another lane

4. 38% - Breaking down

5. 37% - Being caught in a high speed collision

6. 34% - Tire blow-outs

7. 29% - Lorry drivers not being able to see other vehicles

8. 21% - Missing my exit

9. 18% - Road rage

10. 13% - Being able to concentrate

Nick Ansley, head of motor insurance at Co-op Insurance, said: “Almost a third of the young driver accidents that we see happen between one and six months of them passing their driving test. In the main, this is due to lack of experience on the road.

“Therefore, if taking lessons on the motorway early on helps to build confidence in new drivers then it can only be a good thing, for both them and other road users.

“Evidently, the motorway can be an intimidating place and the fact that 28% of drivers in the North West feel nervous when driving on them is concerning.

“We look forward to welcoming these changes next year and hope to see more drivers building confidence and helping to make and keep our roads safe.”

You can test your motorway knowledge here.