Learner drivers may have to wait six months before taking test

Learner pilots in England and Wales could face up to six months between theory and practical tests. The step, which will be subjected to discussion, is part of the government's wider road safety policy, which was unveiled on Wednesday. The plans also include a lower drink-driving quota in England and Wales to bring them up to Scotland. The reform of driving rules is aimed at reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads by 65% over the next decade, and 70% for children under the age of 16.

According to official statistics, a fifth of all deaths or serious injuries from accidents in 2024 involved a young car driver. According to the government, a minimum period between the theory test and the practical test can help learner drivers develop their skills, including driving in different environments. Any informal learning group will do with parents or guardians as well as formal lessons with a driving instructor. The Department of Transportation will consult on three to six months for the minimum learning duration. The plan will make no difference to today's young drivers, who are currently waiting for their practical tests, which could take up to six months. And that backlog is expected to persist until late 2027. According to evidence from other countries, minimum learning durations could help to minimize collisions by up to 32%. Learner drivers can now take lessons from 17 and Book a practical exam as soon as they have passed a theory exam. The vast majority of driving tests in the United Kingdom are taken by children under the age of 25. About 55% of tests were administered by drivers aged 17-24 in 2024-25. The suggested changes may bring an end to teenagers passing their exams just days after turning 17, ensuring that the youngest drivers will be at least 17 and a half.

Drink driving limits

The road safety initiative is also expected to recommend that the alcohol quota for novice drivers and those within their two-year probation period be reduced from 80mg/100ml of blood to about 20 metersg. For all other drivers, the level will be reduced to around 50 million grams. With the AA motoring group's recommendation that it would therefore be safer to avoid alcohol before driving altogether, it's difficult to decide what it means in terms of a real drink.

It is risky to state one pint or large glass of wine under the 50 mg threshold because it will depend on the individual's alcohol content and metabolic rates,

a spokesperson said. However, some in the pub industry fear that it could damage the industry. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, the government will need to consider how to mitigate the serious implications that further restrictions would have for pubs, restaurants, and community hubs in rural areas, which may also suffer from little to no public transportation.

'Maybe I should have had more lessons'

Alisa Fielder, 22, of Surrey, completed her examination as a child but crashed a year ago when attempting to overtake a lorry on a motorway. Nobody was hurt, but her car was written off.

I took too long checking the blind spot, and all the cars in front had stopped,

she said. I'd have taken some more lessons I would have known that you won't really take that long.

She didn't drive for a year after the accident. She has since completed an informal assessment with charity IAM RoadSmart to increase her self-confidence and figure out what she needs to work on.

I wasn't driving to the highest level, and that's why I had a crash. After a person passes their examination, Alisa said the process of becoming a more efficient driver should continue. "Maybe there are more lessons that you're supposed to learn with a professional.

'Graduated driving licences could save lives'

There have been a vociferous push for graduated driving licences (GDLs) to be introduced in the United Kingdom. Different countries have differing GDLs, such as not allowing newly qualified drivers to carry passengers or not letting them drive at night. Several parents of young people who have died on the road are among the GDL's beneficiaries. Sharron Huddleston began advocating for GDLs eight years ago after her daughter Caitlin was killed in a car crash at the age of 18. Sharron supports the recommended minimum learning period, but added,

We also need the post-test safety precautions. Skye Mitchell, the pilot who was also killed, had passed her exam four months before. According to Sharron, Caitlin

would still be here

if the United Kingdom had graduated driving licences that barred newly qualified, young drivers from carrying passengers of their own age.

All the girls [in the car] were 18,she said.This is the most important part of a graduated driving license that will save many young lives.

The AA has welcomed the government's announcement of GDLs, but he said not introducing GDL is

a missed opportunity.

All the evidence, from Australia, Canada, and other nations,

its president Edmund King said, shows that banning the number of same-age passengers in a car for six months will save lives.That will help,

he said of the learning process, but the question is whether it goes far enough?

The road safety initiative also includes steps to minimize accidents by banning seat belts and cellphone use, as well as reducing speeding, alcohol, and opioid use. A key plank of the strategy will be technology that would include built-in breathalysers that will discourage drunk drivers from starting their cars. The government is also considering new measures to suspend driving licenses for people suspected of alcohol abuse or drug trafficking offenses. In October, the BBC announced that further investigation into headlight glarewould be included in the project. Young people account for only 6% of all drivers, according to local transportation Minister Lilian Greenwood, but nearly every quarter of fatal and serious accidents are young people.