Introduction to the government's proposed changes
If you’re learning to drive, some important changes could be on the way that may affect how and when you take your driving test.
On Wednesday 7th January 2026, the UK government launched a new road safety strategy for England and Wales, setting out proposals aimed at making roads safer for everyone, especially young and novice drivers, planning to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% on UK roads by 2035.
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Minimum Learning Period (MLP) for learner drivers
One of the main proposals would introduce a minimum learning period between passing your theory test and taking your practical test. Under this plan, you could be required to wait three to six months before booking your practical test.
The idea behind this change is to give you more time to build real-world driving experience, including driving in different conditions. Both professional lessons with a qualified instructor and practice with a parent or guardian would count towards this learning period.
Evidence from other countries suggests that minimum learning periods can reduce collisions by up to 32%.
At the moment, many learners can start lessons at 17 and take their practical test as soon as they pass their theory, meaning some drivers qualify just days after their 17th birthday.
Official figures show that in 2024, young car drivers were involved in 24% serious or fatal road collisions.
With around 55% of driving tests taken by 17–24-year-olds, the government believes these proposals could make a meaningful difference to road safety.
In reality, the impact may not feel dramatic straight away. Due to the current test backlog, learners already face an average wait of about six months to take a practical test. Even so, if the proposals are introduced, the youngest newly qualified drivers would likely be at least 17 and a half years old, rather than passing immediately after turning 17.
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More strict drink driving limits
The strategy also includes proposed changes to drink-driving limits. If you are a newly qualified driver or still within your two-year probationary period, the legal alcohol limit could be reduced from 80mg to around 20mg per 100ml of blood. For all other drivers, the limit would drop to around 50mg, bringing England and Wales in line with Scotland.
Current Drink Driving Limits
| Level of Alcohol |
England, Wales and
Northern Ireland |
Scotland |
| Micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath |
35 |
22 |
| Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood |
80 |
50 |
| Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine |
107 |
67 |
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There is also a proposal requiring certain drink-driving offenders to have “alcolocks” fitted to their vehicles, these are devices that stop the car from starting or being driven unless the driver passes a breath test.
Taken together, these proposals aim to create a safer, more supportive pathway for learners and new drivers, with the long-term goal of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 65% overall and by 70% for children under 16 over the next decade.
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Other government proposals
Eye tests for older drivers
Drivers aged over 70 may be required to have their vision tested every three years, replacing the current system in which they simply self-declare that their eyesight is sufficient to drive. Although drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, there is no formal test or requirement to prove this.
More harsh penalties
Enforcement of road traffic laws is set to be tightened to target the most dangerous drivers. Proposed changes include granting police the power to immediately suspend the licences of those suspected of drink or drug driving until their court appearance, instead of allowing them to continue driving while on bail.
The proposals also include issuing penalty points for failing to wear a seatbelt, as well as for driving with children who are not properly restrained. In addition, harsher penalties are planned for motorists driving without insurance or a valid MOT, and for the use of “ghost” number plates designed to evade automatic number plate recognition systems.
When will these changes come into place?
These changes are currently being debated, and a final decision will be made following a public consultation. The consultation will remain open until 11:59pm on 31 March 2026.
You can take part in the decision-making process by responding to the public consultation using the link below.
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