What are progressive driving licences and will the UK introduce them?

What are progressive driving licences and will the UK introduce them?

Calls are growing for the UK to introduce 'progressive' driving licences - but what are they?

James Harrison

Updated

Mon, December 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM UTC

6 min read

LONDON,ENGLAND - MAY 27: In this photo illustration a DVLA application form for a UK driving license for a car, motorbike, moped or other vehicle on a table on May 27,2022 in London, England. (Photo Peter Dazeley/Getty Images) — All drivers in the UK face the same rules, whether they've been qualified for days or decades. (Getty Images)

Ministers are expected to resist calls for a major overhaul of driving qualifications when they unveil their latest plans to improve road safety.

Campaigners have argued that replacing Britain's current driving test regime could prevent thousands of injuries and deaths on the nation’s roads every year.

The existing ‘one-and-done’ system means newly qualified drivers face the same rules of the road as other more experienced motorists as soon as they pass their test.

However, a growing number of experts are calling on Britain to introduce a so-called "progressive" or "graduated" system, similar to those used in countries such as Australia and the Republic of Ireland, which enforce tighter restrictions on new drivers.

The AA has estimated such a chance could slash the annual number of people hurt or killed in incidents by as much as two-fifths.

Earlier this month, Simon Foster, police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands, became the latest figure to demand the government make changes, calling progressive driving licences “proven, proportionate and urgently needed”.

However, transport chiefs are expected to prioritise ‘other measures’ when the government publishes its upcoming Road Safety Strategy.

A Department for Transport spokesperson told Yahoo News in response to Foster's comments: “Whilst we are not considering graduated driving licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads and continue to tackle this through our THINK! Campaign.

“We are considering other measures to address this problem and protect young drivers, as part of our upcoming strategy for road safety – the first in over a decade.”

LOCKING, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 25: Vehicles queue in a traffic jam as rain on the M5 motorway on October 25, 2024 near Locking, England. Last week Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka expressed concern that the recent drop in demand for electric vehicles across the EU will make it increasingly difficult for carmakers to meet. The M5 motorway, which links the southwest of England to the Midlands is a major transport link for the region. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images) — Until 2018, drivers were not allowed on British motorways until after they passed their tests. (Getty Images)

What is a 'graduated driving licence'?

Currently, all drivers in England, Wales or Scotland are subject to the same rules whether it has been days or decades since they passed their practical driving test.

Newly qualified motorists can 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 shown for the first 12 months after qualifying and speed restrictions are enforced.

While a ‘graduated’ or ‘progressive’ driving licence could take several forms, it would likely see restrictions such as a top speed, number of passengers and the types of roads they can drive on.

These would be gradually lifted based on factors such as age, competence behind the wheel and driving experience.

This has been backed by the AA, which believes it could cut the number of serious accidents involving young drivers.

Last year, the organisation’s president, Edmund King, said: "The AA believes we need a system of graduated learning with a logbook whereby all learners need to demonstrate their skills on all types of roads and crucially on rural roads where 71% of new driver fatal crashes occur, and in different weather conditions and different times of day or night.”

New driver sticker on a car — Drivers in the Republic of Ireland, one of several countries to have introduced progressive driving licences already, must display 'N plates' for two years after passing their tests. (Getty)

Which countries already use graduated driving licences?

The Republic of Ireland requires drivers to complete a two-year probation period, during which they must display ‘N plates’ and comply with 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, offering ‘learner’, ‘restricted’ and ‘full’ licences.

What happens next?

The government has seemingly ruled out any immediate prospect of overhauling driving licence rules in its upcoming Road Safety Strategy, saying instead it would focus on “other measures” to improve highway safety.

This could include tougher penalties for driving without insurance or failing to wear a seatbelt.

New research has also suggested a softening in attitudes towards drink-driving among the young.

The policy is expected to run until 2030, suggesting graduated or progressive licences are unlikely to be considered before then.

The strategy was expected to be published in the autumn, but it is still not known when the policy is likely to be released.

Close-up of unrecognizable black woman reviewing receipts at kitchen table with sunlight illuminating hands — It has been suggested progressive driving licences could lead to lower insurance premiums, as well as improve road safety. (PA)

Who is supporting it?

The approach has widespread backing.

In summer 2025, campaign group Protect Young Drivers was launched, a coalition of MPs, emergency services, insurers, academics, charities, campaigners and bereaved families.

Organisations signed up to the politically neutral, evidence-based approach include the National Police Chiefs' Council, the National Fire Chiefs' Council, the RAC, the AA, Brake, RoadPeace and IAM RoadSmart.

Motoring organisation the AA has previously backed graduated driving licences, with its president, Edmund King, saying: "We owe it to the next generation to introduce positive measures that will help give them healthy and prosperous lives.”

The RAC has also said it believes this could “help save lives on the country’s roads”.

It has also been supported by victims’ charities, such as Brake, which has argued such a scheme could save 4,471 casualties and £224m every year, just based on the impact it could have on drivers aged 17-19.

In November 2025, the family of Josh Atkins, who died in a car crash when he was 17, spoke about the need for a new system.

Corey Owen Cooper was jailed for five years for causing the death of Atkins by dangerous driving after causing the crash the day after he passed his driving test.

(left to right, front row) Gabe Wiggett, Josh Atkins's aunt, Claire Chapman and South Yorkshire Police Inspector Kieran Frain outside Sheffield Crown Court, where Corey Owen Cooper has been sentenced to five years in prison after he admitted causing the death by dangerous driving. Cooper was driving a Fiat Punto on November 11, 2023, in Sheffield when he lost control of his vehicle and killed his passenger and best friend 17-year-old Joshua Atkins and seriously injuring a second passenger Gabe Wiggett. Cooper was 17 years old and had only passed his driving test the previous day. Picture date: — Gabe Wiggett, Josh Atkins's aunt, Claire Chapman and South Yorkshire Police Inspector Kieran Frain outside Sheffield Crown Court, where Corey Owen Cooper was sentenced earlier this year. (PA)

His family have called for Britain to adopt a graduated driving licence system. “Young and inexperienced drivers need more support, more education, and more accountability before they are given full driving licence privileges," they said in a statement after Cooper's conviction.

“This is not about punishment, it is about prevention. If such a system was 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 Lilian Greenwood, the minister for local transport, telling a House of Commons debate early this year she hoped to improve safety without “unfairly penalising young drivers”.

How could graduated driving licences affect car insurance?

In its Roadmap to Tackle Insurance Costs document, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the “adoption of graduated driving licences” has the potential to lower premiums.

The RAC has also suggested it believes a licensing overhaul could see young drivers in particular pay less for their car insurance.

However, it also noted this is not certain and that other products – such as ‘black box’ insurance which tracks driving and qualifications such as the Pass Plus scheme – can already help reduce costs.

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