Government considering raising the driving test age to 18

Written by admin on October 11th 2013

Photo credit : dsagovuk

The Government is considering whether to increase the age that a young person may take their driving test, to 18.

The move is in an attempt to reduce the number of people killed and injured in accidents on our roads. Figures show that over 20% of deaths on our roads involve drivers between the ages of 17 to 24.  Nearly 10% of inexperienced drivers are caught committing an offence within the first year.

The proposals suggest that learner drivers will still be issued provisional licences at the age of 17 but will have to wait until they are 18 to take their test. If they pass their test they would be required to undertake a one-year ‘learner stage’ during which they would have to have at least 100 hours of daytime and 20 hours of night-time practice under supervision. 

New drivers would face a curfew between 22:00 and 05:00 unless a passenger aged over 30 was in the car with them.  New qualified drivers under the age of 30 would also be banned from carrying any passengers who were under 30.
Other proposals under consideration are a ban on all mobile phone use, and a lower alcohol limit.