Most people in the UK can start driving a car once they have turned 17, provided they have a provisional driving licence for the correct vehicle. However, there are a number of changes to the learner driver process that are currently being discussed by the Government with one proposal potentially lowering this age limit to 16.
Conservative MP Peter Bedford questioned if the Secretary of State for Transport had assessed the potential merits of lowering the age of driving to 16. To which the Department’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary responded with a definitive verdict - no.
Lilian Greenwood explained that this swift decision was to protect young lives from being cut short due to the “disproportionate” number of young people involved in collisions on the road. She said: “The Department is not considering lowering the driving age to 16.
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy and that is especially the case for young people who are disproportionately involved in road collisions.
“That is why the Road Safety Strategy focuses on improved education for learner drivers. This includes consulting on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their practical driving test.
“This would allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers.”
Government figures found that in 2024, a fifth of all people killed or seriously injured in car collisions were in a collision that involved a young car driver. It also noted that men between 17 and 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over.
In 2024, a total of 4,740 collisions involve at least one younger car driver resulted in people being killed or seriously injured. These types of collisions involving all other aged car drivers sat at 19,368.
Currently in the UK, people start their journey of learning how to drive by applying for a provisional driving licence at 15 years old and nine months to ensure it’s ready in time for their 17th birthday.
This is usually when they can start driving a car although there are different rules if you have a disability or long-term health condition. The learner drivers must be supervised by an appropriate person and display ‘L’ plates on the car.
Learner drivers must then pass their theory test, which is valid for two years, before booking their practical test. Once they have passed this, they will be allowed to drive alone on the roads.
The Department for Transport is currently looking at introducing a minimum time period between a person passing their theory test and being allowed to take the practical test for a standard licence to operate a car.
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Lowering the driving age to 16 was rejected to prevent increased road collisions among young drivers.
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This decision underscores the government's commitment to road safety and protecting vulnerable young lives.
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In 2024, young drivers were involved in 4,740 serious collisions, highlighting the urgency of this issue.
