Driving instructors are not breaking the law if they offer lessons in exchange for s*x in the Netherlands, two government ministers have confirmed. Justice Minister Ard van der Steur and Transport Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegan confirmed the practice is legal, when addressing the issue in parliament.

They did however stress it would be illegal if the transaction was offered the other way round and s*x was offered in return for the lessons. Driving instructors have been warned safe s*x must be practised and any s*xual activity must not endanger public safety.

There has been an increase in online searches for driving lessons in exchange for s*x, or ‘a ride for a ride’ as the practice is more commonly known, according to The Telegraph.

Police in Rotterdam carried out an investigation into so-called ‘s*x exchanges’ but the results have not yet been published. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, with prostitutes being treated as self-employed.