Exclusive:
A new petition which would impose stricter rules for young drivers has gained immense traction lately, and while there’s been some pushback about the potential changes, I believe UK drivers should welcome them
A new petition calling for a major change to driving restrictions is close to hitting it’s 100,000 signature benchmark.
The Safer Driving Licensing for Newly Qualified 17-19 Year Olds petition was launched in October 2024 by Crystal Owen, following the tragic death of her son Harvey, who was just 17-years-old. Harvey was involved in a car crash in Northern Wales, along with three other passengers in the car who were no older than 18 years old.
Since her tragic loss, Crystal has been actively campaigning for tighter laws for young drivers. Her petition urges the government to change driving laws, preventing 17 to 19-year-old drivers from carrying passengers aged 25 or younger unless accompanied by an older adult. At the time of writing, the petition sits at just over 97,000 signatures and once it reaches 100k, it could be acknowledged by the Government.
It also calls for a minimum six-month learning period before being eligible for a practical test, the prohibition of carrying passengers aged 25 or under unless accompanied by an older adult in the first six months, six points for rule breakers, and the requirement to retake the practical test under the New Drivers Act 1995.
Not everyone has been happy with the new driving restrictions Crystal is wants the Government to impose. Some have taken to social media to express their anger, with one Reddit user remarking: “Dear Lord, I hope that doesn’t become law. I didn’t so much as take lessons until I had my first child.”
As an Australian living in the UK for the past seven years, these proposed laws seem like a no-brainer as I’ve always found it surprising how easy it is to get your driver’s license.
In my home state, Western Australia, securing your driving license is no easy feat, but I’ve become incredibly thankful for the extensive process in place. Only once you’ve passed a hazard perception test, your theory test, completed over 50 hours of supervised driving, and had your learner’s permit for at least six months can you finally do your driving test. Upon passing the driving test, you are given a provisional license, which you’ll have for the next two years.
During the first six months of your provisional license, you can only have one other passenger in the vehicle, drive between 6 a.m. and midnight, and have absolutely no alcohol in your system. The following year and a half, drivers must still display the P plates on the front and back of their car but can have four passengers in the vehicle, and the time restrictions are lifted.
If everything goes accordingly, by the age of 19, you’ll receive a full driving license.
By the time I got my first lot of ‘P’ plates at the age of 17, after spending over 12 months on my learning permit, I had already been pulled over multiple times. This was no fault of my own but, instead, a common practice which would see popular roads blocked off with an RBT Bus and stopping every car for a breath test while chasing down vehicles that would turn off early. However, after all my years in London, I’ve never seen anyone get breath-tested and I don’t see drivers getting in trouble for speeding or red lights.
Despite these strict rules, Western Australia is still one of the most relaxed states. Because of the strict laws regarding driving licenses in Australia, I have always been confident and will never take risks when on the road. However, I was surprised at how easy it is to get your full license in the UK, especially given the increasing number of road deaths every year.
According to the GOV.UK, to get your learner’s permit in the UK, you must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, able to read a license plate no more than 20 meters away, and have the right to reside in the UK for at least 185 days.
At 17, you can practice driving any time of the day or night. You are also eligible to take your theory test, which includes the hazard perception test. The moment you have passed the theory test, you can immediately book in for your driving test, and if all goes well, you’ll receive your full driving licence and be able to drive solo.
To an Aussie driver, this easy-breezy process sounds like an absolute dream. But the reality is far from it because, in 2023, there were 1,624 fatalities and 29,711 KSI (killed or seriously injured) in road collisions in Great Britain. Therefore, I believe the restrictions and changes detailed in Crystal Owen’s petition are reasonable and should be welcomed by the Government and UK drivers by means of protecting young people on the roads.
