Changes to the Driving Test - Government set to overall training

Friday, 29th March, 2013

The government has confirmed its intention to launch a green paper on improving the safety and reducing risks to young drivers.

A green paper looking at a range of options for improving the safety of newly-qualified drivers will be published later in the spring.

Among the proposals being considered are:

• a minimum learning period before candidates are permitted to sit their test
• enabling learner drivers to take lessons on motorways, and perhaps during adverse weather conditions or during darkness to encourage greater practice prior to taking a test
• increasing the existing probationary period from 2 to 3 years for a new driver’s licence to be revoked if they receive 6 or more penalty points
• making the driving test more rigorous to better prepare learners to drive unsupervised
• incentives for young drivers to take up additional training after passing their test.

The government is also considering the possibility of imposing temporary restrictions on newly qualified drivers and further details will be included for discussion when the green paper is published.

In addition to the measures outlined above, the government is also considering improving the training of driving instructors.

Information would also be made available to parents and young drivers on what to look for when choosing an instructor, as we well as evidence on the most risky behaviours and how to avoid them.