Dutch Politicians Defend Right Of Driving Instructors To Accept Sex As Lesson Payment

The mind-blowing policy is known as ‘ride for a ride’

Driving instructors in Holland can now accept sex as a method of payment for lessons after a controversial new law was defended by Dutch ministers.

The Netherlands government introduced a policy known as ‘ride for a ride’ which stipulates that it is legal for driving instructors to offer lessons in return for sex as long as the student is over the age of 18.

Since the policy received the green light the government has received harsh criticism, and this month Dutch politicians Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen and Minister Ard van der Steur have spoken out to defend and clarify the law, saying that the 'ride for a ride policy’ is not considered to be prostitution as driving instructors can offer lessons for sex, but students cannot advertise sex in exchange for lessons.

They said: 'It's not about offering sexual activities for remuneration, but offering a driving lesson. It is important that the initiative lies with the driving instructor, and focuses on offering a driving lesson, with the payment provided in sexual acts. When a sexual act is offered in lieu of financial payment, that is prostitution.’

However, Gert-Jan Segers of the Conservative Christian Union Party called the new law ‘undesirable’ and noted that the situation of driving instructors accepting sex as should actually be completely illegal as most learner drivers would not have an escort license (needed in Holland to sell sex) and wouldn't be declaring the sexual services for tax purposes.

Either way, it sounds to us like this law could present a whole lot of problems for women. If they’re young, poor, in need of driving lessons and come across a complete sleaze-bag, it’s highly likely they could be coerced into sleeping with a man and then be offered no protection under Dutch law because it’s not technically ‘taxable’ prostitution. That's before we even mention the safety issues that could arise from learning to drive a car with someone who may be, ahem, distracted...

In the Netherlands prostitution has been entirely legal since 2000 when the brothel band was lifted, although the selling of sex has been permitted under Dutch law for more than 200 years. Those working in the industry are permitted to openly advertise their services in newspapers and online and are classed as self-employed persons under the law. Street prostitution is permitted in certain areas of the country and most women work in brothels. However, Holland’s 'ride for a ride' policy could leave women in a dodgy grey area when it comes to the selling of sexual services - and that’s what’s most worrying.

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