Learners could fail their test for not driving economically

Learner drivers could fail their test if they drive in an environmentally unfriendly manner after the EU indicated it wants to make fuel-saving motoring part of the official assessment.

The plans were unveiled as part of the EU's road safety strategy last week and could see drivers penalised for revving the engine too harshly, braking too sharply or being too heavy on the accelerator pedal.