There are eight pages of guidance on eco-safe driving in the new version of the Official Driving Standards Agency Guide to Driving and Chris, 68, a driving instructor for 11 years, has not read any of them.

“Hazard perception, keep a safe distance, stay within the speed limit . . . It's just ordinary bloody driving lesson stuff,” he said yesterday after finally being persuaded to have a look.

“ ‘Do not leave your engine running unnecessarily'. Mine's ticking along quite happily, thank you very much!” He guffawed at his own joke and slammed the book shut.

“It's just careful, general driving and putting a name to it won't make any difference.”

Despite this, he hoped it would become part of the driving test: “If it becomes something else to teach, then it means more lessons and more money.”

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