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Learner drivers in England and Wales may soon be required to wait for a minimum period of up to six months between passing their theory test and taking their practical driving exam, according to an upcoming government proposal revealed by the BBC. This potential change forms part of a larger road safety strategy aimed at reducing road fatalities and serious injuries across Britain by 65% within the next decade, including a targeted 70% reduction among children under the age of 16. In 2024 alone, young car drivers were involved in about one-fifth of all deaths or serious injuries resulting from traffic collisions.
The government believes that imposing a mandatory learning phase between the theory and practical tests will help novice drivers improve their skills and gain experience driving under various conditions. Presently, learner drivers can take formal driving lessons from age 17 and book a practical test immediately after passing the theory exam. The Department for Transport plans to consult on whether this mandatory learning span should be three or six months, a period that would also encompass informal practice with parents or guardians in addition to professional lessons. Research from other countries indicates that instituting minimum learning periods may reduce collisions by as much as 32%. Notably, although existing waiting times for practical tests are already approximately six months due to a pandemic-related backlog expected to last until 2027, regulating the minimum learning period could prevent newly licensed teenagers from passing their test immediately after turning 17, potentially raising the minimum novice driver age to 17 and a half.
Campaigners have long advocated for the introduction of graduated driving licences (GDLs) in the UK, a system that many other countries use to impose restrictions on newly qualified drivers, such as banning them from carrying peers or driving at night. Sharron Huddleston, whose daughter Caitlin was fatally injured at age 18 in a crash involving a novice driver, began campaigning for GDLs eight years ago. She supports the new proposal for a minimum learning period but stresses that additional safety measures are crucial. “We need the post-test safety precautions as well,” she said, expressing the belief that her daughter might have survived if such graduated restrictions had been in place. The driver involved in the fatal crash, Skye Mitchell, had passed her test only four months earlier. Huddleston highlighted that all the teenage girls in the car were the same age and believes that restricting young drivers from carrying same-age passengers could save numerous lives.
The AA has praised the government’s announcement but regards the absence of GDLs in the proposal as a missed opportunity. AA president Edmund King pointed out to the BBC that evidence from countries such as Australia and Canada shows restricting same-age passengers for six months significantly reduces risks for new drivers. King acknowledged that while the learning period is a positive step, “the question is: does it go far enough?” Alongside these measures, the government’s road safety plan includes proposals to lower drink-driving limits in England and Wales, aligning them with Scottish regulations, and imposing even stricter limits for novice drivers, similar to rules in Northern Ireland. The strategy will also investigate concerns about headlight glare, as previously reported by the BBC.
Among young drivers who have experienced the challenges of early driving is 21-year-old Alisa Fielder from Surrey. Though she passed her test as a teenager, she was involved in a crash a year ago while attempting to overtake a lorry on a motorway. While no one was injured, her car was written off. Reflecting on the incident, Alisa said, “I took too long checking the blind spot and all the cars in front had stopped. If I had maybe taken some more lessons then I would know that you can’t really take that long.” After a year without driving, she took an informal driving assessment with the charity IAM RoadSmart to rebuild her confidence and identify areas for improvement. Alisa believes that learning should continue beyond passing the driving test, suggesting “maybe more lessons that you’re required to take with a professional.”
Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood emphasized the disproportionate involvement of young drivers in serious road incidents. Despite accounting for just 6% of all drivers, young people are involved in nearly a quarter of fatal and serious collisions. Greenwood explained, “Inexperience puts drivers, their passengers, and other road users at greater risk.” She framed the proposed mandatory learning period as a supportive measure designed to help young drivers build confidence and develop necessary skills across a range of driving conditions, ultimately aiming to improve safety on the roads
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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