MINISTERS in The Netherlands have defended the right of driving instructors to offer lessons in return for sex from their clients.

The law states that it is completely legal for driving instructors to offer lessons in return for sex as long as the student is over 18.

Dutch politicians were forced to defend the controversial practice after it came under fire for being “undesirable” but the ‘ride for a ride’ policy in The Netherlands remains completely legal.

Gert-Jan Segers from the socially conservative Christian Union party said the practice should be illegal and tried to change the law to ban it, but was met with opposition in parliament, according to The Telegraph.

In The Netherlands, prostitution is legal, with sex workers treated as self-employed and forced to declare their income for it to be taxed.

But Gert-Jan Segers argued that learners would not have an escort licence and would not be declaring the sexual services for tax purposes.

However, Netherlands Transport Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen and Justice Minister Ard van der Steur were quick to leap to the defence of driving instructors and their unconventional payment methods.

The ministers said in a letter: “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.”

The Telegraph reported web searches for instructors offering a ‘ride for a ride’ have increased in the wake of the debate.