Consultations have started on a big shake up to Britain’s driving laws.
Learner drivers in England and Wales may face a minimum period of up to six months between sitting their theory and practical tests with lessons counting from qualified instructors and friends or family drivers.
The new policies were unveiled today.
A lower drink-driving limit in England and Wales, to bring them in line with Scotland, is also proposed to cut the 4 deaths a day due to drunken driving.
The Government want to cut the number of people killed or badly injured on Britain’s roads by 65% over the next decade, and by 70% for children under 16.
Experience in other countries suggests minimum learning periods could reduce collisions by up to 32% as statistics show younger drivers are more likely to have accidents due to inexperience or bravado.
Currently, learner drivers can take lessons from 17 and book a practical test as soon as they have passed a theory exam.
The majority of driving tests in Britain are taken by under-25s. In 2024-25, about 55% of tests were taken by drivers aged 17-24.
In practical terms, anyone gaining a theory certificate today is likely to have to wait six months for a test due to the Government’s under investment in driving examiners and test centres.
For now, however, the Government has rejected the idea of a graduated driving licence for newly qualified drivers but it has also said it wants to get drivers over 70 years to have mandatory eye tests before renewal and the way these would be done has to be discussed.
The changes are unlikely to commence before 2027.
