A law in the Netherlands has caused a stir after government ministers deemed it legal for driving instructors to offer lessons in return for sex.

The unusual law dubbed 'a ride for a ride' states that instructors can offer lessons on the best way to handle a sharp bend as long as students are over the age of 18.

Dutch government ministers were forced to defend the law after it was branded 'undesirable'.

Sex for lessons: The unusual law dubbed 'a ride for a ride' states that it is legal for driving instructors to offer lessons in return for sex, as long as they are over the age of 18

The law came under stiff opposition from Gert-Jan Segers, from the socially conservative Christian Union party after he tabled a question in parliament suggesting that the practice should be illegal.

Prostitution in the Netherlands is legal, with prostitutes treated as self-employed persons. They can openly advertise their services in newspapers and on the internet.

However, Gert-Jan Segers said that learner drivers would not have an escort license, and would not be declaring the sexual services for tax purposes, The Telegraph reports.

Netherlands Transport minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen and Justice minister Ard van der Steur waded in to give the law the green light.

In a letter to parliament the ministers 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 offered in lieu of financial payment, that is prostitution.'

Web searches for instructors offering a ride for a ride have recently increased, according to The Telegraph, as more people sign up to learn much more than a U-turn.