Government proposes six month wait for learners between theory and practical tests

The British Government is considering changes to laws for learner drivers in England and Wales, which would see a minimum wait time between theory and practical tests.

The proposal, which would see a six-month wait between tests, has been designed to increase driver safety, with the government believing that a longer wait would help learners develop their skills, including driving in different conditions. Similar measures have been implemented in other countries, leading to a reduction in collisions by up to 32%.

The current laws allow learner drivers to take lessons from the age of 17 and book a practical test as soon as they have passed a theory exam. The proposed six-month minimum learning period would include both formal lessons with a driving instructor and informal practice with parents or guardians.

Coincidentally, learners in the UK are currently facing a wait time of around six months to take their practical tests anyway due to a backlog caused by the Covid pandemic. The backlog is expected to last until late 2027.

Changes to drink driving limit & mandatory eye tests

Other proposals put forward by the government include reducing the legal drink driving limit and making eye tests for over-70s mandatory to ensure their vision is still fit to drive. The process of learning to ride a motorbike could also be overhauled following a consultation.

Stricter drink driving laws

Stricter drink driving laws would see the alcohol limit for learner and recently qualified drivers reduced from 80mg per 100ml of blood to around 20mg. For all other drivers, the level would be lowered to around 50mg, in line with rules currently in place in Scotland.

It is difficult to quantify what the changes would translate to in terms of drink quantity, as people’s age and weight affect their tolerance to alcohol.

Further measures may also require driving offenders to have ‘alcolocks’ — a device which prevents a vehicle from starting for being driven unless a breath test is passed — installed in their vehicles. These are already in place in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States.

Over 70s set for regular eye tests

Currently, drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away as part of their practical test, although no proof of this is needed after receiving a license. The changes would see over 70s have their vision checked every three years, with NHS eye tests already free for those over 60 in the UK.

All proposed changes are not set in stone and will be subject to public consultation, while some of them are already in force in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: GEM Motoring Assist