As the UK Government prepares to introduce a new road safety strategy, road safety advocates are raising concerns about the absence of tougher licensing rules for newly qualified drivers.
Among the upcoming reforms are proposals for compulsory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over, with the possibility of bans for those who fail, along with plans to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland’s stricter levels. Drivers may also receive penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt under the proposed changes.
However, the AA has criticised the strategy, describing it as having a “major oversight” for not including graduated driving licence rules. These rules could limit newly qualified drivers—particularly young motorists—from carrying passengers of a similar age in the initial months after passing their test.
The AA stated that introducing such a restriction could help “safeguard and save new driver and passenger lives.” Their suggestion includes limiting young drivers from carrying peer-aged passengers for the first six months of independent driving.
Government Concerns About Discrimination
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said there were currently no plans to introduce graduated licensing due to concerns about potential discrimination against young parents, carers, and working drivers.
Speaking to the BBC, Davies-Jones acknowledged the calls for graduated licensing but noted the government did not want to “unfairly target younger drivers.” She added that although this was not part of current plans, the government would keep the issue under review.
Risk Profile of Young Drivers
According to the latest government figures, one in four fatalities in road collisions involves a young driver. Male drivers aged 17 to 24 are identified as being at higher risk of being killed or seriously injured than any age group, aside from those over 85.
Road safety charity Brake attributes this trend to younger drivers being more likely to engage in riskier behaviour—especially when carrying passengers of a similar age. Research has shown that young drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents in these circumstances compared to driving alone or with older passengers.
Campaigner and Industry Reactions
The RAC has also previously called for a graduated licensing scheme, including:
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A minimum six-month learning period before taking the practical driving test
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Potential curfews for new drivers, particularly at night
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A lower or zero alcohol limit for recently qualified drivers
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, expressed interest in understanding which measures the government believes will be most effective in improving road safety outcomes for young drivers.
DfT Response
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) said that while graduated licensing is not currently under consideration, the government recognises the disproportionate number of young drivers involved in serious incidents. They reiterated a commitment to improving road safety through educational campaigns, including the ongoing THINK! initiative, and said more detailed proposals would be included in the upcoming strategy, expected this autumn.
About Freeman & Co.
Freeman & Co. are a specialist firm of road traffic and criminal defence solicitors based in Manchester but with nationwide coverage.
Freeman & Co. specialise in a wide variety of road traffic cases, ranging from drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences, to name but a few.
The firm was created by Nick Freeman, who has been dubbed “Mr Loophole” by the press for his technical legal ability and robustly challenging the prosecution.
Nick is well regarded as an expert road traffic lawyer and has successfully represented many high profile clients for a variety of motoring offences as well as criminal offences.
The firm of Freeman & Co. embodies the way Nick works, with minute attention to detail and challenging the prosecution at every turn.
If you are facing a road traffic matter or criminal offence and need the services of Freeman & Co. please call on 0161 236 7007.
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Freeman & Co Solicitors
8 Oxford Court
Manchester
M2 3WQ
Tel. 0161 236 7007
