Introduce a progressive licensing system for young drivers under the age of 25

- A minimum learning period of 40hrs to help young drivers gain skills and experience on different roads under different conditions - No carrying passengers 25 and under for the first year - Restrictions on driving at night between midnight and 6am - Mandatory hazard perception training

Road crashes are a leading cause of death for young people. In 2022, 1,365 drivers aged 17–24 were killed or seriously injured in crashes. We believe we need progressive licensing to keep young drivers safe. In Canada, a scheme with a minimum learning period and restrictions on night driving saw a 42% drop in crashes involving drivers aged 20–24. In New Zealand, a scheme that also restricted passengers for the first 6 months saw a 23% drop in crash injuries for 15–19-year-olds (12% for 20–24-year-olds).

Every death or serious injury on our roads is a tragedy and we continue to work tirelessly to improve road safety for all users.

For new and novice drivers the Department’s broad aim is to improve road safety through new technology and research; and particularly for young drivers, developing better learning opportunities and targeted educational messaging, while reinforcing vital behaviour change road safety messages through our THINK! Campaigns.

The latest statistics show that the number of car fatalities involving 17-24-years-olds on Britain’s roads is falling. We have seen a drop in the number of 17-24-year-olds killed from 448 in 1990, to 158 in 2010 and to 101 in 2022, a 77% total decrease since 1990. However, we acknowledge that in terms of population and in the number of miles driven, 17-24 year olds remain one of the highest fatality risk groups, especially males, both as car drivers and passengers.

The Department has commissioned research to examine interventions designed to help learner and newly qualified drivers improve their skills and safety and we are awaiting publication of outcomes before considering further measures we can take to improve road safety for young drivers.

The £2m Driver 2020 project is the pinnacle of our work on improving road safety for young and novice drivers. This project commenced in January 2019 and over 28,000 learner and novice drivers were recruited. This project, the progress of which has been delayed by Covid, includes looking at the effectiveness of telematics, use of a logbook, extra hazard perception, classroom-based education and mentoring agreements.