Learner drivers may have to wait six months before taking test

Learner drivers across England and Wales could soon face a mandatory waiting period of up to six months between successfully passing their theory test and being permitted to sit their practical driving examination. This significant proposed change, exclusively revealed by the BBC, forms a central pillar of the government’s comprehensive new road safety strategy, which is set to be officially launched and detailed on Wednesday. The move signals a concerted effort to enhance driver proficiency and drastically reduce the alarming statistics surrounding road accidents involving young motorists.

The forthcoming government consultation will explore two potential minimum learning periods: three or six months. This timeframe would encompass all forms of driving practice, whether it involves formal instruction from an approved driving instructor or informal lessons supervised by parents or guardians. The Department for Transport believes that mandating such a period would provide learner drivers with invaluable additional time to hone their skills, gain crucial on-road experience, and develop a deeper understanding of varying driving conditions. This includes exposure to diverse traffic scenarios, adverse weather, night driving, and navigating complex junctions – all elements critical for building robust driving competency beyond the basic requirements of the practical test.

This shake-up of current driving laws is ambitious, aiming for a dramatic reduction of 65% in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads over the next decade. For children under 16, the target is even more stringent, with a proposed 70% reduction. The urgency of these reforms is underscored by current statistics: approximately one-fifth of all deaths or serious injuries resulting from crashes in 2024 involved a young car driver. This disproportionate involvement highlights a critical safety gap that the proposed minimum learning period seeks to address.

Currently, aspiring drivers in England and Wales can begin taking lessons from the age of 17. Once they have successfully passed their theory test, they are immediately eligible to book a practical driving test. This system, critics argue, allows some individuals to rush through the learning process, potentially lacking the breadth of experience needed to navigate the complexities of modern roads safely. The proposed change would fundamentally alter this, making it impossible for teenagers to pass their practical test just days after their 17th birthday, meaning the youngest newly qualified drivers would be at least 17 and a half, or potentially even older, depending on the chosen consultation outcome.

International evidence strongly supports the efficacy of minimum learning periods. Data from other countries where similar schemes are in place suggests that such measures can lead to a reduction in collisions by as much as 32%. This evidence underpins the Department for Transport’s confidence that the proposed changes will contribute significantly to improved road safety outcomes. The majority of driving tests in Britain are currently taken by individuals under the age of 25, with around 55% of tests in 2024-25 conducted for drivers aged 17-24. This demographic, while eager to gain independence, is statistically at a higher risk of being involved in accidents due to inexperience.

The introduction of a mandatory learning period comes at a time when learner drivers are already grappling with significant delays. A substantial backlog in practical driving tests, largely a consequence of the Covid pandemic, currently means that individuals often face waiting times of around six months to secure a test slot. This backlog is projected to persist until late 2027. The proposed new regulation would effectively layer a mandatory waiting period on top of these existing delays, potentially extending the overall time it takes to gain a full licence. While the existing backlog is an operational issue, the new proposal is a deliberate policy choice aimed at enhancing safety and could lead to a combined waiting and learning period that some might find challenging.

Beyond the minimum learning period, the broader road safety strategy also delves into the long-standing debate surrounding "graduated driving licences" (GDLs). These schemes, prevalent in various forms across different countries, impose temporary restrictions on newly qualified drivers to mitigate risks during their most vulnerable period on the road. Common GDL restrictions include prohibitions on carrying young passengers, driving during late-night hours, or limits on engine size. Advocates for GDLs in the UK have been vociferous in their campaigns, often driven by personal tragedies that underscore the urgent need for such measures.

Among the most poignant voices in this campaign is Sharron Huddleston, who began her fight for GDLs eight years ago after her daughter, Caitlin, tragically died in a car crash at the age of 18. The driver of the car, Skye Mitchell, who also died in the incident, had passed her test just four months prior. Sharron supports the proposed minimum learning period but passionately argues that it doesn’t go far enough without complementary post-test safety precautions. She firmly believes that Caitlin "would still be here" if the UK had adopted graduated driving licences that specifically restricted newly qualified young drivers from carrying passengers their own age. "All the girls [in the car] were 18," she recounted, highlighting the heightened risks associated with multiple young occupants. Sharron asserts that this particular element of a graduated driving licence is the "strongest element" and would "save many young lives."

The AA, a prominent motoring organisation, has largely welcomed the government’s announced measures, particularly the focus on extended learning. However, its president, Edmund King, expressed disappointment at the omission of full graduated driving licences, describing it as "a missed opportunity." Speaking to the BBC, King emphasised that "all the evidence, from Australia, from Canada, from other countries," unequivocally demonstrates that limiting the number of same-age passengers in a car for the initial six months of a driver’s qualification significantly "will save lives." While acknowledging the potential benefits of the learning period, he posed the critical question: "That will help, but the question is: does it go far enough?" This sentiment reflects a broader desire among safety campaigners for more comprehensive post-test restrictions.

The forthcoming road safety strategy is not limited to learner drivers alone. It will also introduce proposals for a lower drink-driving limit in England and Wales, aiming to align them with the stricter limits already in place in Scotland. Furthermore, the strategy suggests an even lower drink-driving limit specifically for novice drivers, a measure already implemented in Northern Ireland, recognising their heightened vulnerability and lack of experience. Additionally, as revealed by the BBC in October, the strategy will include commitments to further research into the issue of headlight glare, a growing concern among motorists regarding the intensity and alignment of modern vehicle headlamps.

The personal experiences of young drivers further illustrate the need for enhanced training. Alisa Fielder, a 21-year-old from Surrey, passed her driving test as a teenager but was involved in a crash a year ago while attempting to overtake a lorry on a motorway. Although nobody was injured, her car was written off. Reflecting on the incident, Alisa admitted, "I took too long checking the blind spot and all the cars in front had stopped." She believes that "if I had maybe taken some more lessons then I would know that you can’t really take that long." This experience profoundly impacted her, leading her to stop driving for a year after the crash. She has since undertaken an informal assessment with the charity IAM RoadSmart to rebuild her confidence and identify areas for improvement. "I wasn’t driving to the best standard and that’s why I had a crash," she candidly stated. Alisa’s experience underscores her conviction that the process of becoming a proficient driver should extend well beyond merely passing the practical test, suggesting that "maybe more lessons that you’re required to take with a professional" could be beneficial.

Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood underscored the urgency of these reforms, stating that young people, despite making up just 6% of all drivers, are involved in nearly a quarter of all fatal and serious collisions. She highlighted that "inexperience puts drivers, their passengers, and other road users at greater risk." The proposed minimum learning period, she explained, "is all about supporting young drivers to develop the confidence they need to stay safe and giving them more time to build their skills and gain experience in different driving conditions." The consultation period will provide an opportunity for public and stakeholder input, shaping the final form of these potentially transformative changes to how young people learn to drive in the UK.