A Minimum 6 Month Wait?
A consultation is underway, to consider the introduction of a minimum 6 month wait between learner drivers passing the theory test, and then taking the practical driving test. This is one of a number of strategies the government is proposing under a wider road safety strategy plan.
Someone in government believes that enforcing this minimum waiting period would give learner drivers more time to develop skills. This, along with the opportunity of spending time driving in different conditions.
Long Waiting Times
At the moment, due to long waiting times, learners already face long delays for a driving test appointment. That doesn’t however, necessarily mean that they are getting more practise. Many book a driving test as soon as they can. That doesn’t mean however, that they also start getting in any serious practise until the date is near.
So the question is, if the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Services Agency) ever manage to reduce the waiting list, will enforcing a 6 month wait actually make any difference? What’s to stop a learner driver passing a theory test and then just not driving for 6 months? They could cram it all in by taking an intensive (crash course) one week before the practical test.
A Minimum Number of Hours
This measure would only work, if there was a requirement for learner drivers to have a minimum number of driving hours over the specified time period. Someone would have to provide documented proof of that, perhaps having a training record signed by an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor)? But then, would that mean that new drivers could no longer learn just with their own parents?
Some countries do require their learner drivers to satisfy stricter conditions before taking a test, with a minimum number of hours practise. Germany for instance, also requires the inclusion of certain elements such as country roads and autobahns during training. There are no compulsory conditions in the UK.
Graduated Licensing
There is also talk of introducing ‘graduated licensing.’ This would involve certain restrictions being placed on newly qualified drivers such as:
- a ban on carrying passengers (particularly their own age)
- driving at night
Research does show that young drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of collisions. This is sometimes due to carrying young passengers, who may distract the driver or perhaps place pressure on them to drive beyond their abilities. Restricting the carrying of young passengers for a period of time may be a positive step, but would be difficult to enforce. It would really be up to the drivers themselves to decide whether to follow the guidelines or not.
As for a night-time driving ban? The government wants to introduce a minimum 6 month wait between theory and practical tests to provide the ‘opportunity of driving in different conditions.’ So, would it not be better to make driving at night a compulsory part of a structured training programme.