Motor insurers could be given access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency records, Mike Penning, the road safety minister, has told MPs.

Appearing before the Transport Select Committee, Mr Penning said the Government was looking at giving insurers greater access to motorists’ driving record.

Because of data protection laws, a driver’s consent would be required before the DVLA opens its records to insurance companies.

One option being considered by ministers would be to allow companies to include a request for access to the DVLA database on the insurance proposal form.

They would be free to decline insurance to a driver who was not prepared to allow insurers to obtain information on any previous motoring convictions.

In a separate move learner drivers could be allowed on motorways, Mr Penning told the Committee.

He said he is examining ways of ensuring that novice motorists are capable of handling fast motorway traffic.

One option under consideration would be to allow them onto these roads under supervision from a qualified instructor ahead of taking the test. An alternative would be compulsory motorway training for newly licenced drivers.

Applying for your first provisional licence has never been easier, with more and more people using the online service.

The criteria you must meet in order to use the online service is small and as long as you can do the following, you should receive your licence within two weeks of applying:

You must be a resident of Great Britain

You must meet the minimum age requirement and eyesight requirement

Have a valid form of ID such as a UK passport

Are not prevented from driving already

Can provide details of where you have resided in the last three years

Be able to make payment for the sum of £50 using a valid debit or credit card

To obtain a provisional licence the DVLA require a photo and a signature. If you use your passport as ID, they may be able to electronically capture the photo and signature required.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “If you are not in position to use the online service, it is very easy to complete the D1 form which can be collected from your local post office.”

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Changes to London’s Congestion Charge came into force in January (2011) which introduced a radical overhaul to the exemptions for lower emission vehicles.

The Alternative Fuel Discount (AFD) closed to new applicants and in its place came the new Greener Vehicle Discount, which meant for the first time, a whole new array of cars qualified for exemption to the charge. The new discount system permits all vehicles that emit below 100g/km of CO2 and meet Euro 5 air quality standards to travel throughout the UK capital city without paying the daily fee.

The new system allows conventional petrol and diesel cars to qualify for exemption for the first time, permitting them to join low emission hybrid and electric cars in their privilege position. With such a dizzying choice of cars now able to pass through the capital city without paying the charge, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk thought it would give you our Ten Ten of Congestion Charge Dodgers, presented in alphabetical order, to give you an idea of the models now available to choose from if you want to avoid the charge:

1. Audi A3 1.6 TDi with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3 mpg (combined).

2. Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg (combined).

3. Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir with emissions of 92g/km CO2 and 67.3 mpg (combined).

4. Ford Fiesta 1.6 Econetic with emissions of 98g/km CO2 and 76.3 mpg (combined).

5. Lexus CT200h SE with emissions of 94g/km CO2 and 68.9 mpg (combined).

6. Nissan Leaf with zero tailpipe emissions and a range of 100 miles to a full charge.

7. Skoda Fabia 1.2 GreenLine with emissions of 89g/km CO2 and 83.1 mpg (combined).

8. Toyota Prius T3 Hybrid with emissions of 89g/km CO2 and 72.4 mpg (combined).

9. Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Bluemotion with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3 mpg (combined).

10. Volvo S40 DRIVe with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3 mpg (combined).