Ministers are expected to resist calls for a major overhaul of driving qualifications as they unveil their new plans to improve road safety.
Campaigners have argued that replacing the UK’s current driving test system could prevent thousands of injuries and deaths on the country’s roads every year.
The existing ‘one-and-done’ system means that newly qualified drivers must face the same road rules as other more experienced motorists as soon as they pass their test.
However, a growing number of experts are calling for Britain to introduce a so-called “progressive” or “graduated” system, similar to that used in countries such as Australia and the Republic of Ireland, which imposes stricter restrictions on new drivers.
The AA estimates that such a chance could reduce the annual number of people injured or killed in incidents by two-fifths.
Earlier this month, Simon Foster, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands, became the latest to call on the Government to make changes to progressive driving licences, calling them “validated, proportionate and urgently needed”.
However, transport chiefs are expected to prioritize ‘other measures’ when the government unveils its next road safety strategy.
A Department for Transport spokesperson told Yahoo News in response to Foster’s comments: “We are not considering graduated driving licences, we fully recognize that young people are disproportionately affected by tragedies on our roads and will continue to address this through our Think! campaign.
“We are considering other measures to tackle this problem and keep young drivers safe, as part of our upcoming strategy for road safety – the first in a decade.”
Until 2018, drivers were not allowed on British motorways until they had passed their test. (Getty Images)
What is a ‘Graduate Driving Licence’?
Currently, all drivers in England, Wales or Scotland are subject to the same rules, whether it’s been days or decades since they passed their practical driving test.
Newly qualified motorists may choose to display a green ‘P plate’ if they wish to indicate their lack of experience to other road users.
In Northern Ireland, an amber ‘R plate’ must be displayed for the first 12 months after qualification and speed restrictions come into force.
While a ‘graduate’ or ‘progressive’ driving license can take many forms, it will likely see restrictions such as maximum speed, the number of passengers and the types of roads they can drive on.
These will be raised based on factors such as age, ability behind the wheel and driving experience respectively.
It is backed by the AA, which believes it could reduce the number of serious accidents involving young drivers.
Last year, the organization’s president, Edmund King, said: “AA believes we need a system of graduate education with a logbook that requires all learners to demonstrate their skills on all types of roads, and importantly rural roads where 71% of new driver fatal accidents occur, and at different times of the day or night.”
Drivers in the Republic of Ireland, one of several countries that have introduced progressive driving licences, must display ‘N plates’ for two years after passing their test. (Getty)
Which countries already use graduate driving licenses?
The Republic of Ireland requires drivers to complete a two-year probation period, during which they must display ‘N plates’ and adhere to lower drink-drive limits than more experienced road users.
In Australia, new drivers are banned from driving between certain hours at night and have limitations on the number of passengers they can carry.
Motorists in New Zealand go through a three-step process, granting ‘learner’, ‘restricted’ and ‘full’ licences.
What happens now?
The government appears to have ruled out any immediate possibility of revising driving license rules in its upcoming road safety strategy, saying it will instead focus on “other measures” to improve highway safety.
This can include severe penalties for driving without insurance or failing to wear a seat belt.
New research also suggests a softening of the trend among young people to drink and drive.
This policy is expected to last until 2030, suggesting that graduated or progressive licenses are unlikely to be considered before then.
The strategy was expected to be published in the autumn, but it is not yet known when the policy will be released.
It has been suggested that progressive driving licenses could lead to lower insurance premiums, as well as improve road safety. (PA)
Who supports this?
The approach has widespread support.
In summer 2025, the campaign group Protect Young Drivers was launched, a coalition of MPs, emergency services, insurers, academics, charities, campaigners and bereaved families.
Organizations that have signed up to the politically neutral, evidence-based approach include the National Council of Chiefs of Police, National Fire Chiefs Council, RAC, AA, Brake, RoadPeace and IAM RoadSmart.
Motoring organization the AA has previously backed graduated driving licences, with its chairman Edmund King saying: “We owe it to the next generation to introduce positive measures that will help them lead healthier and richer lives.”
The RAC also said it believed it could “help save lives on the country’s roads”.
It has also been backed by victims’ charities such as Brake, which has argued that such a scheme could save 4,471 casualties and £224 million each year based on the impact on 17-19-year-old drivers.
In November 2025, the family of Josh Atkins, who died in a car accident when he was 17, spoke about the need for a new system.
Corey Owen Cooper was jailed for five years for Atkins’ death by dangerous driving after causing the crash the day after he passed his driving test.
Gabe Wiggett, Josh Atkins’ aunt, Claire Chapman and South Yorkshire Police Inspector Kieran Frain outside Sheffield Crown Court, where Cory Owen Cooper was sentenced earlier this year. (PA)
His family has called for the UK to adopt a graduated driving license system. “Young and inexperienced drivers need more support, more education and more accountability before they can be granted full driving license privileges,” they said in a statement after Cooper’s sentencing.
“It’s not about punishment, it’s about prevention. If such a system had been put in place, Josh would still be with us today, still living his life.”
The policy also appears to have clear public support, with a survey of more than 7,000 people by pollster YouGov showing a clear majority in favour.
However, the government has so far refused to consider such a scheme, with Local Transport Minister Lillian Greenwood telling a House of Commons debate earlier this year that she hoped to improve safety “without unfairly penalizing young drivers”.
How does driving license affect car insurance?
In its Roadmap to Tackle Insurance Costs document, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the “adoption of graduated driving licenses” is likely to reduce premiums.
The RAC has also suggested that it believes the license overhaul could see young drivers in particular pay less for their car insurance.
However, it noted that this is not certain and that other products – such as ‘black box’ insurance which tracks qualifications such as driving and the Pass Plus scheme – could already help reduce costs.
