The proposed change aims to improve road safety by allowing learner drivers more time to develop their driving skills and gain experience in various driving conditions. The Department for Transport will consult on whether the minimum period should be three or six months. The road safety strategy also includes proposals to lower the drink-driving limit in England and Wales, aligning them with the stricter limits already in place in Scotland.

The government's objective is to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 65 over the next decade, with a specific target of reducing injuries to children under 16 by 70. Statistics from 2024 indicate that approximately one-fifth of all deaths or serious injuries resulting from car crashes involved young drivers. The government hopes that a mandatory waiting period will contribute to a reduction in these numbers.

The consultation period will allow stakeholders, including driving instructors, road safety organizations, and the public, to provide feedback on the proposed measures. The Department for Transport will then analyze the feedback and make a final decision on the implementation of the new rules. The BBC was the first to report on the planned changes.