The proposed change aims to improve road safety by ensuring learner drivers gain more experience behind the wheel before attempting the practical test. The Department for Transport believes this waiting period will allow learners to develop crucial skills, such as driving in diverse weather conditions and traffic situations. The government will launch a consultation on the measure.

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. These changes are part of a larger effort to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries. The government aims to decrease the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 65 over the next decade, with a target of 70 fewer incidents involving children under 16.

Official figures indicate that young drivers are disproportionately involved in serious road accidents. In 2024, a fifth of all deaths or serious injuries resulting from crashes involved a young car driver. The government hopes that the new measures will address this issue by promoting safer driving habits among new drivers.

The Department for Transport will consult with stakeholders and the public on the proposed changes before implementing them. The consultation period will allow for feedback and adjustments to the policy. The government has not yet announced a specific timeline for when the new rules might take effect.