Prime Minister hints at graduated driving licence for learners

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has suggested that the UK could introduced a graduated driving licence system that would place restrictions on new drivers in an effort to cut casualties on the roads.

Mrs May said she would order the Department for Transport to look into a graduated licensing system - which could ban young motorist from carrying passengers or driving at night - after a question during this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

Labour MP for Darlington Jenny Chapman raised the issue after a learner driver killed a child in her constituency. She pointed to figures showing that a quarter of young drivers (those between 17 and 24) are involved in an accident within the first two years after passing their test and 400 deaths of serious injuries a year involve young drivers. She then asked if the UK would consider a graduated learning system.

Various countries around the world, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Austria, use graduated licensing, with different approaches and restrictions.

Some set a minimum learning period while others require drivers to sit a second test a year after their initial pass.

Other potential measures the Government could consider are a probationary period where drivers are not allowed to carry passengers under a certain age, are not allowed to drive at night or face lower drink-drive limits

The UK already has rules that mean any motorist given six points on their licence in their first two years of driving automatically loses their licence.

Mrs May told the House of Commons: “Too many people suffer loss and tragedy at the hands of learner drivers in this circumstance and we will certainly look at that.”