A number of driving instructors say learner drivers are being intimidated with tailgating, beeped at traffic lights and being cut off in dangerous overtaking manoeuvres on a daily basis.

"Port Macquarie is very unforgiving for learner drivers because of the negative attitude of other motorists towards them," said Dunrite Driving School Port Macquarie instructor Glenn Coppleman.

"I've taught in three states and Port Macquarie drivers are pretty much the worst I've seen.

"Drivers here tail-gate and blow the horn. I don't know why it's so bad.

"We just go about our business and it' s not really been addressed. We often have conversations between instructors and assessors about how badly the learners are being treated."

One driving instructor says some motorists don't know the latest road rules themselves.

Keen to Drive instructor Michael Treneman said many Port Macquarie motorists are unaware of road legislation changes and are not keeping up to current road rules.

"In general, speed is the biggest issue for other drivers," he said.

"Learners have always had the issue that people see them and immediately want to get around them.

"Often people will do silly things on the road including overtaking at the wrong time, even when the learner driver is doing the speed limit.

"Other drivers are making very bad mistakes on the road such as cutting us off or beeping at us immediately as the traffic light changes. As if that is going to help learner drivers.

"In many cases rules have changed over the years and people are set in their ways that they know the current rules."

Mr Treneman, an instructor for 17 years, said Port Macquarie motorists also struggle with roundabouts, merging and traffic light rules.

"For roundabouts the current rules are that you must be in the correct lane you're turning in," he said.

"You have to indicate your intentions at least 30 metres back from the roundabout and just before you exit you must give an indication," he said.

"I'd say maybe 30 per cent of drivers in Port Macquarie are indicating correctly on roundabouts.

"There are two types of merging. The zipper lane merge when two lane merge into one and whomever is in front has right of way in that rule.

"The other merge is when one lane ends and the other continues. If you're in the ending lane it's no different to a lane change and you must give way to the other vehicles.

"Being in front doesn't give you the right of way, you can only indicate and ask for a gesture to cross."

"The issue we have is that people are racing from behind to get passed before the lane merge."

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