If you live in the Scunthorpe area and are thinking about learning to drive it might be a good idea to book your driving lessons today – before the new rules about driver training come into effect.
The Government is planning to introduce a range of changes designed to improve the quality of training and reduce the terribly high accident rate currently suffered by newly qualified drivers.
Among the proposals being considered are:
- a minimum learning period before candidates are permitted to sit their test
- enabling learner drivers to take lessons on motorways, and perhaps during adverse weather conditions or during darkness to encourage greater practice prior to taking a test
- increasing the existing probationary period from 2 to 3 years for a new driver’s licence to be revoked if they receive 6 or more penalty points
- making the driving test more rigorous to better prepare learners to drive unsupervised
- incentives for young drivers to take up additional training after passing their test.
The government is also considering the possibility of imposing temporary restrictions on newly qualified drivers and further details will be included for discussion when the green paper is published.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
It is alarming that a fifth of people killed or seriously injured on our roads in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver was aged 17 to 24. Improving the safety of our young drivers is therefore a real priority and will not only reduce casualties but should also mean a reduction in the sky-high insurance premiums they pay.
I have been clear that I want to see insurance premiums reflecting conditions, performance and risks on the road. We have already done much as a government to address the concerns around motor insurance but more still needs to be done before young drivers feel satisfied they are getting value for money. I look forward to working with the industry and hearing from them how these proposals will help reduce premiums.
Justice Minister Helen Grant said:
Honest drivers should not have to foot the bill for a system that has been exploited by others to generate large profits for themselves. We have taken major steps to put this right, including changing no-win no-fee deals so lawyers can no longer double their money, banning behaviour which encourages questionable claims and tackling the whiplash problem. This will all help to create savings that insurers can pass on to their customers through lower premiums.
From https://www.gov.uk/
Tag: March 2013: the Government is planning big changes to the way people learn to drive.