Young people and driving
From applying to get your provisional to attaining complete driving freedom, why is the process of learning to drive so long, and what policies has Keir Starmer implemented to prevent road casualties?
The benefits of a driver’s license at the age of 17 are extensive, with sense of independence and easy transport to education and work being top amongst young peoples’ reasoning. The relief from public transport and perceived safety concerns also play key roles, with some young people, particularly girls seeing driving as a personal safety option due to the elimination of encounters with strangers as well as an antidote to walking alone. But driving at a young age also poses several dangers, including inexperience on major roads, motorways, and even quieter roads with 30mph where two thirds of collisions occur, poor understanding of driving laws and lack of responsibility. Contributory factors such as speeding, drink and drug driving, failure to wear seat belts and mobile phone usage are cited as the determining reasons for the UK’s tragic KSI (killed and seriously injured) statistics.
On the 7th of January 2026, the government announced its new road safety strategy, intended to reduce the number of casualties and deaths from road accidents in Britain. One proposed rule is a six month wait for learner drivers between sitting their theory and taking the practical test, which some say will help learners consolidate their learning before taking to the road. Evidence from countries which have implemented the law suggests that collision rates could in fact be reduced by up to 32%.
So, how could this impact your driving progression?
Many young people have feared that the six month wait within which they will continue to have lessons will be too expensive and may put them off from learning in the first place. With a youth unemployment rate of 15.3% in the third quarter of 2025, even the price of cars to learn in as well as high insurance rates seem completely unattainable.
Others argue that the wait will reduce the number of casualties by road accidents through delaying inexperienced drivers from driving on the roads of Britain when full understanding has not been reached, promoting a better driving culture where young people are respectful of the dangers associated with driving.
These proposals also follow Starmer’s promise to prevent newly qualified drivers under the age of 24 from driving with a passenger of the same age, intended to increase situations where an experienced driver is enabled to give critical advice should a near-accident occur.
There are a series of consultations on road safety being launched to inform the government going forward.
Facts/statistics
UK youth unemployment rate 2025| Statista
How could driving rule changes affect learners? Your questions answered - BBC News
Teenage Driving Risk Of Death Underestimated By Eight In Ten | AA
Businesswoman driving her car in the city | Free Photo
Violet Crowton
