you should make the law 6+ years later cos the 10-year-olds dont know about it. but people age 13-16 are just disapointed cos they were looking forward to driving. If u want people to have a yr of learnin b4 havin a lisence why not let them start learning at 16.

u can get a moped lisence in 1 day.

Joe, Sheffield, England

this law will make more people drive mopeds which are more risky than cars. and my older brothers friend who has one said you can start learning and pass your test on the same day! If you want people to have a year of experience before holding a full lisence, why not let them start learning at 16

Joe, Sheffield, England

well personally if they intoduce the driving law to 18 then i have said to my parents i am going to get a moped or motorbike. now motorbike and mopeds are much much more dangerous than cars and there is many many more deaths and accidents from motorbike than cars. rediculous law!

Anthony Anscombe, Brighton, england

I think they make quite a good point.
As a 16 year old, I am disappointed that I will be unable to take my driving test until I am 18, instead of when I am 17 as I had expected.
It is however sensible as having an entire year of driving practice should prepare people for driving much better.

David, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

this is clear stereotyping and everybody is being prejudice of age and supposed "experience"
I'm 15 and can spot mistakes other drivers make, and so can alot of my friends. We all know the rules and have no intention of breaking the law or do anything stupid.
We are more capable than you know!

Tewy 1993, Chesterfield, England

i think this is terrible first they raise smoking to 18, alchohol is 18 and now driving 18 what do teenagers have to look forward to any more ? im 16 and cant wait to drive just give us some freedom for christ sake

Aled, cardiff, wales

i think its a joke. people are going to have to learn some way!
1 year is not going to "mature" a teenager.

davy lawton , Torquay, devon

I think it is wrong if they raise the limit because i know many people that have been run over by a middle aged person. Even if it did go up 18 year old round my area are a lot more irresponsible that 17 year olds so what is the point

gg, middlesex,

There is no point in raising the driving age. Most 18 year olds are no more mature than then they were a year ago. Learners will always be a risk whether they learn at 17 or 18 they will still be novices.

Lauren, York,

In response to this. there are many older drivers who cant see but because they are of legal age, are allowed to drive. Incidents involving driving are in most cases drink drivers, not immature drivers.

Tom Chesireton, Dronfield, United Kingdom

i am a student and im doing a essay on raising the age to 18 to drive and manypeople dissagre. on the idea i do to i cant wait any longer to get my licens and we all know that its is a responsablity duah!but come on people should us the ones on the road have a say in this situation?i accpect more.

Brooke, St.Jhons, USA

whats the point in increasing the driving age? its not going to stop people speeding or racing. and when is this ment ot be happening, when is the cut off date??

dan, worksop,

I have been looking forward to driving all of my life, and it' would be totally unfair to make me wait, especially as I live in the middle of nowhere. I am sensible, well-educated, and am not going to drive like a psyco! Why punish careful people just because there are a few idiots out there?

Sarah Perry, Cheshire,

I really cant wait to drive. but why punish people. you can stop people driving around like lunitics quite easily without stopping others from driving! Its pathetic. keep it younger. because people will just buy bikes any way which are more dangerous!!

jess, Doncaster, England

I think that by raising the driving age you are criticising every young driver by putting them into a stereotype of being dangerous when infact not every young driver is wreckless and therfore everybody is suffering due to the minority of young dangerous drivers!

please dont increase the limit!

chris taylor, southampton, england

by putting up the age for driving you will make youngest get a bike which is more dangerous and people can get a bike at the age of 16, also isn't had to make them go fast by changing only a few things. Also why should others suffer for other people mistakes? Thank you and please think about it.

laura jones, kingsbridge, England

I strongly disagree with the change of the minimum driving age in England.I am 16, and turn 17 right at the beginning of september.I won't be able to get to 6th form if i cannot learn and pass my driving test because there are no buses where i live. This is completly unreasonable,please think again!

ruth, dartford kent, england

i think that the driving laws shouldn't be raised to 18 because teenagers will start to ride 125 bikes at 17 which are just as fast and alot more dangerous

edward, earlswood, solihull

i strongly disagree with the age raise. i turn 17 in september and i am hopen on a car to get me from collage and back home. so doing this age raise will change peoples minds for them about going. And doing this will make so many people suffer just because of other people.

Jake, birmingham, warwickshire

I'm 17 in september 09 and dissagree with the driving age raise. i do believe with the no tolerence to alcohol, but the raise of age undermines this. When people turn 18 they are going to want to drive and drink becuase they can legally, therefore raising the amount of drink drivers!

Hannah, Ilkley, England

Im 16 and 17 next december. i believe that the age should not rise over silly people who speed and not be mature enough to becareful on the roads. why should others suffer? many people like me depend on a car to get in and out of town as bus routes are not often through the day out in the country.

Emma, Portadown, Northern Ireland

Its been made clear that the age isnt chaning because of maturity but because you want people to have more experience before driving on the roads. So why not change the age to 16 for applying for provisionals and give a year of lessons and take the test at 17?

Courtney, Lincoln, England

There is no point what so ever in doing this some young drivers will drive carefully like normal people and it wont be fair on people like me. Next year im geting a new job and i need to drive to travel there.

carl hopper, spennymoor, england

I don't believe that this proposal will make a difference. It's not the age but lack of experience that causes accidents so therefore it makes no difference what age they learn to drive. I also think it's unfair on responsible teens!!

Elaine White, Ruislip, UK

If they really want teens to have more experience in driving why doesnt the goverment give the teens one driving lesson when they are still in school. This will let them have their 'First Rush' and teach them about road saftey. This is so unfair on responsible teens!!

aidan , Bicester, England

I find this proposal irrational, as it is only the select few teens that cause problems driving. I feel that a less costricting alternative should be subjected, i feel that there should be a harder test process, as this should thin out some of the less able drivers that ride the roads.

James Burley, Penrith, England

I think this proposal is completly unfair, it is just one more thing to add to the list of adults stereotyping 16/17 yr olds. By theway most adults speak about teenagers i think they want us locked up between the age of 16-20. Im 16 nearly 17 and think this proposal is unfaair on responsible teens!

Josh Muldoon, Stockport, England

Well I think if they change the law. For drivin teens it would not be fair at all because some of us drivin teens! Are very responable and it would not be fair to punish all of us because some of us (not all) are stupid and like to speed race and not pay attention! some of us deserve prevelege.

Carissa Mccomas, clinton, p.a

why is every one picking on teenagers? i think it is silly upping the age i am 16 nearly 17, cant wait to drive. relying on public transport is a joke. so maybe they should make cars that only go up to 80mph for under 20's that are affordable people arent made of money to pay for lessons for a year!

naomi, dartford,

Not everyone at the age of 17 will be at the same maturity level as other 17 year olds, so why make innocent and sensible people whpo attend sixth forms or colleges, have to wait an extra year and struggle for transport because some people are given a licence to drive irresponsibly?

Sophie, Norfolk,

I think that upping the age is ridiculous for many reasons but one of the reasons is that im going to have to rely on my family for lifts to and from work for an extra year and i cant go to the college i want to as i cant get lifts in the morning.

Jordan Reed, Bristol, England

i'd also like to point out that this is just like flight training, people will learn at the start of their 17th year, and then leave the test until they are 18 maybe just scraping getting through which will leave them as worse drivers, people arent going to pay for lessons all of their 17th year.

Adam Tongue, Birmingham, england

I Am 16 years old and have been waiting for a long 17 years to drive, and i think its stupid to make the legal driving age 18 instead of 17 because you should'nt ban everyone from driving because of some careless people, not everyone is like that. And 17 is the time we need a car for education Ect.

Jack , Lowestoft, England

Almost all of the states in America allow you to get a provisional license from the age of 15 and then take your test at 16, it works perfectly well over there so why can't it work over here too?

Laura, Essex, England

i am a 16 year old boy and like many other having been waiting a good while for my 17th birthday to come so i can get on the road. Rasing the age limit is stupid because people like myself have to wait longer and have been waiting a while. A years advance should have been given.

kyle, Limavady, Northern Ireland

I am a 16 year old boy who lives in rural dorset, as my mum is often at work i find it very difficult to get about. Raising the driving age would only make people like me lives very difficult.

Jack, Dorchester, England

this is ridiculous! whatever age people learn to drive at theyre still going to be novices! for the obvious reason they have just learnt to drive on the road. use your heads!

josh, louth,

I am a 16 year old girl and i have been desperate to drive for years. Putting the driving age up is just going to cause havok because it doesnt make a difference what age the person is, a year isnt going to make somebody any more cautious or sensible, its just going to make them angry and frustrated

Gayle, Uk,

You shouldnt change the age. But make the consequences tougher on those who do commit crimes this will detire people from doing things in the first place

Victoria Jenikns, Stanwell, England

I think keeping a log of the number of driving hours, as per pilots who have to record so many flying hours to keep their licence, would be sensible. Apparently, New Zealand operates this policy, so it has to be manageable somehow! Age is irrelevant, it is experience that counts.

Carolyn, Leamington Spa, England

to put it simply a lerner is still a lerner weather he is 17 18 70 or 118 raising the age by 1 year isent going to make a diferenc also if e lowerd the driving age to 16 then young drivers would have 2 years driving experianc before thay even had the chance to drink and drive not that i think its ok

ryan maples, harrogate, uk

i think its just daft beaucse people who are 18 and not yet passed or going to be the same as if they were 17 and passing so really there will be no difference beacuse theyd act the same beaucse they just want to get onto the road.!!

Martyn Newton, Dudley,

Totally UnCalled for. Upping the age limit is making no difference. Lets face it people at the age of 17 are now only legal to buy Lottery tickets which is extremely pathetic.

The Goverment is looking at it from the Youngers Point of View by the looks of things...

Emma Mats, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

We spent many hours driving our sons around on top of their lessons, night driving, driving in all weathers and we feel one of the biggest causes of young drivers crashes is the experienced drivers tail-gaiting, harassing and total intollerance putting all at risk. Speed limits not just 4 learners!

Linda Yeomans, Fareham, Hampshire

. When someone pasts they oviously going to drive alot and be in the car alot, having a good time etc what ever there age and so the age limit wont make much difference.. i mean more young peopel will be getting mop heads in order to travel which seem more dangerous then cars.

Laura , Torquay,

I wanna also point out tht if i have a car my parents wont keep having a go at me for asking for lifts.. and if they threaten to kick me out of the house and do then least i have my car to sleep in and be safe.. Its ridiculous.. im looking forward to driving 4 getting around not driving lik a loon.

Laura, Torquay,

It makes more sense to increase the amount of time for a driver to learn how to drive and how they are taught.

Age is not a way to define the maturity of a person while driving or how safe they

Rifat Khan, Liverpool, England

I Think Putting the age up is wrong some people need a license when they are 17 to go to college and work to better them selves but you are just making it more difficult for 17 year olds to get a job and to get on the right course they want at college, and public transport is usless these days

Matt K, Rochdale, lancashire

i think that putting the age is pathetic.
people blame more teens for accidents on the road than anything and its not the case. you could be doing everything right while driving but can still have accidents. more people are gunna be driving illegally because of them not been able to drive.

chloe bell, middlesbrough, united kingdom

I think that putting the age up is stupid !!
Its just going to encourage more people to joyride than people already do. Maybe if they'd be able to get a license younger then this wouldnt happen. Think about it.

Olivia Pownall, Manchester, England

This is NOT fair putting the driving age up, the generations that are being affected by this have done no wrong and are being punished by other peoples mistakes, why dont you restrict the engine size? Instead of stoping drivers just put an age limit on the engine size!

Kirsty Dobbs, Bridgend,

I think we should stop worrying. They have beem proposing this for years, and has anything ever happened? It is very unfair and people will start to drive illegally. Plus I work 10 miles from my home, it cost me £1.20 each way to work on the bus, I am not paying that for another year! Very bad idea!

Tom Hazell, Leicester, United Kingdom, England

Personally i dont think its fair putting up the driving age to 17. All of my friends will be able to drive and i wont as my birthday is at the end of the year, after the driving age has been put up. I think it will just encourage more driving from people under the legal age.

Kirsty, Paisley,

wats the point!yes the facts do show that 17 year olds crash more but thats the same as anything obviously there just satrting out! the facts will just change to 18 year olds crashin more! how can my friend born 1 year earlier than me be able to drive any differerent ! some americans drive at 14!!

kristina, london,

i think it is unfair because if you want to go on to future education the you dont want to ask some one for a lift all the time

Jordan, leeds, uk

im 15 sixteen in september. If the driving age does not go up i will be able to drive to college and gain some inderpendence. Also i would like to say that peole who leave school and do not go on to further education are not able to claim for free public travel so how are they going to get to work?

Sarah, croydon, england

i think it is very unfair, as we have all been wating to drive our whole life, and just because of some yobs we all get punished for it. i myself work 30miles away from where i live, sometimes i miss my bus or train and i always get wrong for that, so if they change the driving 2 18 hw am i gna cope

shaz, sunderland,

I think its unfair too, because i need to be able to drive as soon as i turn 17, to be able to go see my clients.
Rather then depend on other people to drive me around, which also looks very unprofessional!!!!

Frankie, surrey, uk

Being sixteen years old, I find the statement of Jim Fitzpatrick extraodinarily patronising. Not all teenagers are idiots. We realise that driving is dangerous, and just because a few yobs like driving round Tescos car park at hundreds of miles an hour at night doesn't mean we all do.

Eleanor Watts, Cambridge,

I don't think it is fair that 17 year old will need to take a full year of lessons. I personally am 17 and am learning to drive to make it eariser for myself to get to work rather than relying on public transport. There are very careful 17 year old drivers out there and shouldnt all be blamed !!!

Joanne, Linwood, Scotland

Well i think that its the old people that cause the most accidents, once theyv reached an age of 60 perhaps, they should be re-tested, to see if they are still capible of driving safely, the young people of today dont need to have to wait another year or so, just make the test harder.

Declan Keen, Bridgend, South Wales

I think more younger people should have their say and bear in mind it's not only young people that cause accidents we have been given a bad name as we are always highlighted by the media,and it won't make a difference what if most people resort to the usage of motorbikes!!!

sammy, Glasgow, Scotland

What about teenagers who want to drive to work college or uni? Im a responsble young person and i dont see why the ages need to be changed, possibly its the testing methods that are the root of the problem but because we are young, that thought is overident and drowed with the sterotypes of youths!

Shauntél.C, London,

Yes its a privilege but u have to learn how to drive to obtain the lincence legally.. it is wrong to stereo type because we are at a younger age when there is immature people at all ages that make silly desicions... do not under mind us because we are young

Byran, London, UK

i think this proposal to set the age limit higher is stupid teenagers just want there independance trust me i kno becuase i am one. i hate the way people say teenagers in general are dangerous on the roads and that we should be curfewed etc. the sooner we can drive the sooner we ent on the streets

alex bagwell, gloucester, england

If you pass your driving test at any age you should be allowed to drive.But if you are caught speeding, drink driving ect... and you are under 18 then your licence should be taken away! it would also be a good idea to have a special race track for tennagers.

Chris, corfe mullen, UK

Apart from the safety issue it will stop 17 year olds from driving to school that adds to traffic and pollution, they get free public transport and should use it! Driving is a privlege and should not be allowed for childern.

anthony, Newry,

I think it is a wast of time riseing the age to 18 because the bigest %age of people in road colisions are people aged 17 - 25 so by puting the age up 1 more year wat will that solve as it then will b people aged 18 - 25 involved in road colisions

Brendan, Dalkeith , Scotland

To be honest i think that changing the age of being able to drive is pathetic! if anything they should become more stricter on the speed limits etc and bann people from driving due to this rather than make younger people suffer by increasng the age limit of being able to drive.

Becky, Plymouth, England

I think by doin this it will coruse however many arguemnt s but at the end of the day iv wnated ti drive for years n im finaly turning 17 in 5 days and i am doin a weeks inence course to get it done so that im more independant and more reliable by my self

charlie, essex, england

It wont a solve anything. Im 16 coming up 17 and i have my heart set on driving and by enforcing these new laws arn't the way to go about it.
Speed cameras, average speed cameras, theres so many new and good ways to monitor speeds, why not enforce more speed limits, dont take it driving away!!!!!!!

Matthew Howe, Maidstone, Kent

Hey can anyone tell me if i will still be able to start driving lessons at 17 and do the theory at 18? or do i have to be 18 to start lessons? thanks

Michael, Leeds, England

i'm 17 next year in June. I live in a small village in the middle of no-where in England. I want to be able to drive myself to college not have to get up earlier each morning just so i can walk to the station 3 miles away. It is incredibly hard to get myself to places far away. I need a car ASAP.

George, West Sussex, England

I was a better driver for being more experienced. I think 12 months of driving experience prior to taking a test is a very good idea. It is easy when young to learn the mechanics of driving without gaining experience of driving with the stresses that challenge and distract many drivers today

Teresa Carter, Bristol,

i passed my driving test within 7 weeks, (i was 17 two months ago now), and a small number of lessons, it doesnt neccesarily make me a bad driver. instead of condeming all young drivers, maybe dsa should should introduce a maturity and common sense test, incorporated in the theory test.

Jess, Midlands,

Moving the drving age up to 18 will just cause younger people to go and and joy ride with out a licence. and therefore cause yet more deaths on the roads . i think its a stupid idea and turning 17 next year i dont want to wait any longer to drive ive been waiting for 3 years for my own idenpendence.

Jodie , poole, ENGLAND!

i personaly think that one year will make no difference to what young people do and how they drive at the end of the day all they are doing is makeing it potentially more dangeorous on the roads because more people will be getting mopeds i think the should keep the driving age at 17 years

kyle bayliss, pershore, england

Well this has caused me to get a moped because i don't want to rely on my parents for lifts for another 2 years if the age does go up to 18, and seeing as we hear of so many fatal bike accidents this would probably be a bad move for government if a lot of people end up doing the same as I have done.

Matt, Corsham, Wiltshire,

loads of rubbihs why should it changee. the people who are making these changes were allowed to when tey were 17 so why should nt we?!

alice`, wolverhampton, england

Right!
This is stupid!
There are a lot of people such as myself at the age of 16 and turning 17 early next year!
Just because a small portion of the teenagers abuse the responsibility of driving, you are choosing to punish them all.
Its stupid, and shouldn't happen! Many will agree with me!

Daryl, Swindon, Wiltshire

Ok im 17 this december and i'm really looking forward to the responsibility of driving a car!
It gives me a chance to be economically dependant as i'll have to buy my own petrol and why should we all have to suffer because of some absolute idiots on the road!

Franki, kent,

. I am 16 and i am eager to begin driving, mayube too eager. I know many people who if the driving age goes up they will drive illegally with no knowledge of how to. Also undoubtedly there will be many with this set of mind. I wonder what will cause more deaths?

Marcus, Luton,

Right! i am 16 and will be going on 17 in january 08. As my father has his own business being a mechanic i will be following his roll and for me to work on the cars and find problems i will have to drive them my self but if they decide to put the restrictions in then i may aswell start work when 18!

scott , London, UK

I think that this is a ridiculous idea, why should the younger generation be penilized for the mistakes of a small minority of people abuse the skill of driving.

megan, belfast,

i dont think they should higher the age as i will be 17 in january and i am looking forward to being able to drive and i feel it is unfair to take away that privilage to people who are turning 17 within the next year. i think it is unfair and as for accidents it isnt always young people. my friends where in a car crash 2 weeks ago 2 were killed and 2 badly injured in hospital still, the driver was 17 but was a sensible driver, it was an accident and it wasnt down to age, it was down to the other driver in the other car who was an older man in his 30's. you cannot put acciedents down to age. I also believe that motorcycles and scooters (which you can drive at 16) are more dangerous than cars and more young people will be going and getting them insted because they cannot drive.

Sarah, Liverpool, United Kingdom

I feel that it shouldn't be changed as the problems on the road are not just young people but "experienced drivers" and also the older generation.

There is also the problem of putting a limit to how many lessons we should do. This is unfair as the cost of lessons are too much already. If you changed the age of driving it will cause more problems with public transport as more people will get public transport and this already costs to much as it is.

You can't put a limit on how long a young driver should stay out either as they can either finish work late or they might need to pick family up from the airport.

I honestly feel that it shouldnt be changed but it should stay at 17 and when students pass they pass but when they get to a certain age for example 60, they should retake there test to stay on the road.

Charlotte , Plymouth, UK

hi my name is tom if you change the age limit more people are going to get a motor bike witch are more dangerous

tom, southam, southam

had the driving age already gone up because i have been told that it has and that means that i am now stuck for getting to work as i am 17 on 30th/04/91 and also they are not thinkin about if they make it a 12 month corse it will make more younger people go to getting a motor bike and they are more dangerious so i think it is stupid to be honest

neil , peterborough, united kingdom

Right..i personally think.. that thoose who were 17 before the law was past should still be able to obtain a full driving licence,

Everyone else..will have to wait

Matthew , Allmighty Fife, UK

Yeaah whats good! the name becca, becca hendy and im here to have my say! driving is my life soul and if you take this away its like taking away my mum n dad!

rebecca hendy, luton, beds

i was born in 02.05.92 and think this is not a good idea as it should be used in school years such as september otherwise i will not be able to gt to college or work and the goverment dont realise how hard public transport is.i also feels its unfair as i herd it would be brought in to acount in april 09 just 1 month before my birthday and its horrible to think my freinds older than me can drive.i also think that there will be more crime as we will not be able to have idependence wich leads to bad behavour on streets and would want to drive illegally.its not just me its the majority of people who belive its a bad idea and we wont be able to get to work or college if they want to reduce crashes look at older drivers aswell and make driving lessons cheaper.

s.p, newbury, berkshire

basicly we cant get to college or work and therefore the goverment should pay for transport regardless.also it should be done in school years and for people born in 1993 as 1992 is to short notice and it would cause even more crime .

s.p, newbury, berkshire

I think the ages should stay at 17,

i am 16 and all i want is a car and if if goes up another year people wouldnt be happy about it

it would be easier for us to get to college and work

ste, newcastle,

I personally feel that there really wouldn't be a point in changing the law for just a 1 year difference. The majarity of accidents are caused mainly by teenage boys, in which case the maturity would maintain the same within a year. Also i feel that people who have been driving for over 15 years , should take a new thoery test. Young people today have to face a much harder test to pass. This would also make a difference to the roads, and make them safer.

jill, aberdeen, scotland

I agree with the idea of 12 months learning to drive for younger people.

But what must be taken into consideration is elderly drivers , who in my view have slow reactions and are also just as likely to get envolved with an accident if a child was to walk out in front of them for example.

Some of the more elderly drivers never took a test at all , and this concerns me just as much as with younger drivers.

Maybe there should be a test for drivers over a certain age to see if these drivers are up to standard.

50 years ago or more there where not as many cars on the road as there are today.


I am 43 and have been driving for 25 years, and at 18 when I passed the test , my driving instructor told me I had to start to learn to drive.

You have to drive defensively , and keep your eyes open at all times.

This in my view makes a good safe driver

Matthew Blundell

Matthew Blundell, Welling, Kent, England

Although many are upset about this I think its a pretty good idea. However there should also be an upper limit. Why is it that young people are always marginalized like this? Older drivers are a hazard on the road with failing eyesight and hearing as well as slower reactions.

Hopefully some motorway driving will be included in the test, maybe some other parts of pass plus incorporated in the main test?

I'm assuming that a reduction in insurance will follow bit that may be too wishful thinking!

I am a 19 year male.

JR, london, UK

I live in the country and struggle as it is getting in and out of the town with both my parents with cars and my older brother. I will be 17 as of 2009 and I will not be able to do all the things i want to do if i cant get around. I dont think that putting the driving age to 18 will help the situation. The problem is not the age of the drivers, it is the experience on the roads that they have and the lack of understanding for their responsibilities. In this article it says that learners are passing their tests without having driven in the dark, on ice or on snow...how is putting the age limit to 18 going to help that? I believe that 16 year olds should be allowed to have lessons and a provisional license for a year then, with a more challenging test, they can set their test once they are 17. This can give them the experience and year round lessons allow them to understand the conditions of driving and how to handle them.

Jenny Mill, Glasgow, Scotland

i am going to be 17 soon, and i cant wait to drive!!. i feel it is unfair for the goverment to put the age limit up!! i also dont feel it will stop accident on the roads as it isnt always young people apart of the accident, all because we dont have many years on the roads dosent make us bad drivers. i feel the goverment should allow 17 year old to drive but not allow them to have such powerfull cars just like the motobike law.

leanna , march , england

Im 16, 17 in June. I think this idea of puting up the driving age has not had as much thought put into it as needed. For example, wether you are 17, 18 or 21 if you have just passed your test and have a silly attitude towards driving, you are going to be silly on the road regardless. If they put this age up, it might take people longer to pass but if they have the idea of racing their cars or watever,, they are going to do it anyway so really, what is the point? They should be working on projects to develope peoples attitudes towards driving, not making an unfair choice towards people that take it seriously! Some youths, like myself, will really need their cars to get to uni, work etc. I really think this should be re-thought.
Thanks for reading.x

Amy, Edinburgh, UK

im 17 year old male, still not learning to drive even though i am goin to be 18 in a few months, its all becuase i havent the money atm, i should hopefully be learning to drive within 1 month as of money issuses as there are no jobs in my local area so i have to travel to get work, there for if the driving age went up i would not be able to do anything for a year or 2 as i would have no work there for no money to do anything with my life!!! so i think the goverment should live in my shoes for a month then they would no how hard it was to get along as they all props live in london there for use puplic transport!! which i dont have living in the country!! also girlfriend has to drive to her work experience, if she couldnt driven then she could not get there, there for she wouldnt be able to become what she wants to become l8er on in life!
thanks for taking ur time to read this!
hope it doesnt go up as it would affect many people like my self!!

marc taylor, walton, somerset

I was born in early January 1992 and therefore my friends less than a month younger than me could drive while i could not according to these proposals. Perhaps this is selfish and bias, but surely this should be based on school year rather than calendar year? Could I also propose that drivers over the age of 70 (who have contributed to a number of horrific accidents) be re-tested if we are to make Britain's roads safer.

Niall, Pinner,

i am 16 and my birthday is in october. i cant wait to learn to drive. i think it is unfair if they put the driving age up because some young drivers cause accidents.also think it would be a better idea to make the test harder rather then change the age.

Emma, carluke, scotland

I believe they should leave the driving age alone. I'm 17 on 4th of april and I've heard it goes up on the 1st of april. I will be a good driver as I've had a motorcycle on the road to get me around since I was 16 and from a motorcyclist view its not just young drivers that are a danger its every one. Every one knows that when a young person has passed there test one of there first things that will happen with there first car is a crash, its bound to happen. its a learning experriense. Another thing is that should be part of the driving test is knowing how to change tyre incase of a puncture and knowing how to chech oil levels, antifreeze etc etc. plus it should be like I'd rather the drinking age go up rather than driving age because driving is giving young people independence.

Thomas Wells, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Well, I've heard that the law is going to be 1992 and after cannot drive. I'm in my last few weeks of school and I'm in the same year as most of the 1991 people and I truly don't believe that this is fair on us who where born 1992.

My birth date is 12.05.92 and I'm in the same year as someone born 02.09 and I don't think this is fair I think anyone born 1992 and below should be able to obtain a driving license at 17 but just taking a much more difficult test. I'm not only putting my point across because I'm born in 1992 but because this is a fair point of view and for all those born 1992.


As I say the people born 1991 are not even a year older than m e. Or even could I propose this the youngest person in my year and in any high school year 11's about to leave this year 2008 the youngest is born in august so if there was a law make it if you are born in September 1992 or after you cannot drive until your 18 so that way its fair on those born in 1992 and in the same year as 1991.

Jordan, England, Essex,

im a 15 year old girl...nearly 16 who can't wait to be driving. What i don't understand is why are they thinking about raising the driving age when its not even our age group that has caused the problem?
If they want a 'training period' before you are allowed to take your test i think they should let us have the training period earlier and leave the age as it is, as i don't think it is at all fair that friends that are a year old than us will have been driving 2 years before we are allowed to.
And besides....the term 'boy racer' springs to mind for nearly all young peoples accidents...so why are the girls having to suffer because of them? And surely we are already being punished enough for the amount of money will would have to pay for the insurance, again due to careless boy racers.

Becky Watson, Lincolnshire, UK

Having read a lot of the comments here, i would like to say this - Can all these young people stop bleating about how much the government are idiots and incapapable of doing anything correct. I think they should stop trying to be adults until they can spell correctly, and then they could come up with a better arguement for driving other than '....and my mummy will need to give me lifts for another year'. Young people are killing themselves and others on the road, just the same as other age groups. It has to stop somewhere and i think that slowing down the time it takes for young people to get on the road is the way forward. (sorry about the bad grammer and any spelling mistakes!)

Jay, Porstmouth, UK

I'm 17. I was 17 in november and had passed my driving test within 2 months. I'm now learning to ride a motorbike and have just done my CBT.

I think rather than changing the legal driving age the test should just be made more difficult because not all newly passed drivers think that they can drive quickly and kill themselves. Also an upper age limit should be introduced because just yesterday i was nearly crashed into by some old woman who seemed to have no idea what was going on and just drifted across the lane nearly into the side of me.

I think a zero alcohol level should be enforced on all drivers and more effort should be made to stop people using phones while driving because the number of people i have seen using phones whilst driving is rediculous.

Driving should be more like with bikes where you are limeted to a certain engine size and power for 2 years after passing your test.

Tom, bury,

Im 17.

My insurance is £3500.

Am i not already paying for the way some irrisponsible young people drive?

Tom, bury,

I do not believe that it is necessary to raise the driving age to 18. Why should all young people be penalised for the faults of other reckless individuals? It has been stated that novice drivers are responsible for one third of road accidents - so what about the other two thirds, do they not get penalised for dangerous driving? I believe that raising the driving age to 18 is discriminating against young people - older people cause thousands of accidents on the road also so why are the youth being targeted. It is incredbly patronizing to suggest raising the driving age as well as the other limitations that will be involved in this change. Do young people not have a voice? Do young people not have the right to be involved in decisions that are relevent to them?

Macleod, Western Isles, Scotland

I believe that it is a good idea for people to have to have lessons for a time period befor they take their test. But there is no reason why this time period couldnt be before they were 17. People are just as mature at age16 as at 17. So let people get their learning permit while they are 16 but not allow them to take the test until they are 17. If young adults have to wait until they are 18 to drive parents will also suffer with the amount of taxiing they do - they already complain enough. Also when people are 18 they can drive to a pub for a drink and then drive home again - probably above the legal limit. If the government want less drink driving they should start a no tolerance rule for people who have been driving for less than a year

Anna Campbell, Ipswich,

I am 17 this december and cannot wait until i pass my driving test as I cannot wait to be independent. At the moment, I have to ask my parents to give me a lift everywhere. My parents can't wait also as they might be able to stop running aroung after me.I would be absolutely devestated if they raised the legal driving age and I do not see why - if a couple of irresponsible young people who are trying to entertain their friends and I do not see why future drivers haveto be punished as not everyone drives around stupidly and I do not see how these incidents should change the governments perception of young drivers.
If I will be able to pass my driving test this year I have no intention of speeding along roads and putting myself or my passengers in danger. If i would carry passengers I would consider their safety first and would take responsibility if anything happened to them whilst in my hands.The government should be very careful of their actions as 16 year olds are old enough to vote

Mari , Holyhead, Anglesey

I think this is absoloutly ridiculous, im 17 this year and i live in a little village where its hard to get around, i have to take 2 buses wherever i go, and it doesnt come cheap either. I was actually looking forward to thinking i could start driving this year so i didnt have to rely on my parents and stupid public transport that comes like once in a few hours. Just because were young does not mean were all going to act like idiots when we get behind the wheel, and anyways whats the difference with one year?! How can people expect us to grow up and mature properly when laws change ever minute making us more like children for longer. I don't care about the drinking limit or anything because fair enough you should not drink and drive, but why raise the age!

Vicki, Near Hull, Uk

What are they doing? do the government seriously think that if the age limit increased by one year, it will make a huge difference. i myself am a 16 year old boy just looking forward to having my own way of transport, not going crazy behind the wheel! the increase would not change a thing apart from thrusttrate many young potential drivers just so the government can feel that they have played a useful part in running the country. instead of putting forward such a pathetic idea, maybe they should use their time to do something useful. yet again, teenagers are being victimised by the government and the press because of a small number of individuals.

Martin Walsh, coventry,

As a (hopefully!) sensible 16 year old, i feel it absolutely neccessary to state how unbelievably silly and thoughtless our entire government is once again appearing to be. I for one am insisting on learning enough experience in the dark/ice etc before taking my test anyway and have to say that a lot of accidents in under 21 year olds are brought on by the drivers lack of responsibility/love of speed themselves.

Sadly, i think the government know as well as we do that no law will stop a childish viewpoint of "speed loving", which i'm afraid many adults also posess. The government are merely trying to be appearing to take action.

Tom, Sudbury, Suffolk,

I cant beieve there coming up with another stupid law, i mean i am only 16 and ive already lost all fath in the goverment. I mean yes i look at driving next year as being fun and i think of all the fun i can have on camping trips, but i also think of driving to college helping my mum get my brothers to rugby. On top of this if this new law comes into affect what have they achieved loads of 17yr olds out of pocket. Oh and finally yes if they do introdue the new law it will (maybe) reduce accidents but if you bann driving you reduce accidents doesnt mean its a good bloody idea!!!

Daniel Morris, Kettering, United Kingdom

Okay, i am 17 and learning to drive i am almost ready to put in for my test. So does that mean when i am capable to take my test i am not going to be able to do it till october, my 18th? so the money i have just paid to get it done so i am do my weekly food shop and get myself to work and collage is going to be a complete waist of money? however i have heard this when my other friends and when my brother was learning to drive and nothing ever happend so i am not going to take to much notice, i guess they have just got to realise that maybe takleing the people that are all ready driving becuase they are the ones causeing the accsedent right? I say that we should be allowed to take the test when we are ready and there me a more of a zero tolerence on drink driving and more speed cameras, i am not saying i am a fan of speed cameras but maybe get the police to do their job instead of making it easier for them.

Tori, lowestoft,

I think its absoloutly descarsefull, how are folk suposed to get to town? Do they think we can afford £7 each way taxi bill? 1 bus every 1.5 hours? I can't wait to get out of the country.

Storm, NE, UK,

Another stupid idea from people it wont affect, I am 27 and have been messed up by the last clever idea to put a strangle hold on driving entitlements in 97 which I will add solved nothing. This will just help to cripple industry, the self employed, etc. I am sure that this will cost yet more money to learner drivers (again another way to get us to pay more money). I can’t believe I have to pay taxes for these genius ideas.

James Gray, New Milton, Hampshire

Are we really living? We have so many laws and restrictions, sometimes i feel like we are wearing chains. People have to accept that there will always be prats trying to show of and such. It also seems apparant to me that only the people who this wont directly affect are agreeing with this absolutly stupid law. We "live" in a world were freedom is restricted and anyone under the age of 20 is considered a lesser being. The voice of a teen or a child goes un-head but a big man or women in a expensive suit who probably has'nt interacted with the real world in a very long time decides the fate of thousands.

GROW UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES

Luke Cattaneo, Redhill, England

I think it is the worst idea in a long while, all that will hapen is that 18 year olds will drive to the bar there going to and get drunk then drive back. Plus motorway drivng is safer then driving on the backroads and you dont get drunk of a can and i think it is stupid that you can`t have any alcohol in yout system until you are 19 they should leave this `Idea` until 2010 when the school ae goes up , I am so so anoyed av been waiting all my life to drive i only had 2 years left until this now it has gone back up to 3!!!!

Matty, Hull, East Yorkshire

I dont think the driving age should go up but after rreading that i think it should go down and give young people 6 months training first. I would like to hope i will atenned college once i become the age and i cant depend on my parents takeing me daily.

pm, ballymena,

i dont think the drivin age should go up just tet i think thay should leave it untill 2010 because of the age u stop at scholl is 18 an the people who are at school now in year 11 an 10 will suffer by not beein able to get to work or collage

aj, wolverhampton,

I am unable to drive yet, but as of this year, I am attending a college that is 20 miles away from where I live. The bus fare is extortionate.
I will be attending this college for 2 years, and then plan on going to University.
College shouldn't be a problem, but university won't be so easy. Driving would be easier by far, otherwise it would take various train and bus trips everyday, as I don't plan to live there temporarily.
Whether they change the driving age limit or not, there will still be road accidents. Maybe less, but there will be more people constantly ranting about the lack of transport service in their areas..

Me, gloucester,

I dont think that it should become higher but i think it should go down lower becasue teens need to get places because sometime there parents are busy and cant take them places so if they could drive they could take them selves

Liam Fink, Rio Rancho, NM

i agree,the age limit should not be raised from jan 91. as that means that half of my college year will be able to drive and the other half not. i am very unhappy that due to 22 days i will have to wait a year more to take my test when i am a better driver than people who wer born more than 22 days earlier.

Alana, moreton,

If they change the legal age to 18 starting from the year 91, there will be a huge constrovacy due to the fact that most of these people already have provisional licences and have started lessons. However if it was to start in September 91 onwards it will be a different senario as all the people that where born that year will not already have provisional licences, this will cause less havoc.

However the best way to run the system would be the American system. This system has stood the test of time and has proven to be a successful way.

To conclude I will say the government have to think very carefully about there action due to the fact that will face much opposition from the younger generation, this is the last thing they need at a time when there is already high opposition and crime from younger people.

Gooli , London, Middlesex

what date will this change because i am 16 turning 17 in june and was born in 91 so will this affect me because my mates say it wont.

tom, west midlands, england

I think the driving age shoudnt change like some people say that young people they might work or go university/college and have responsibilities, the accidents that have been caused is only because some idiots who drink and drive, and anyway if the age goes up anyway young teenagers will strike and complain because they have waited so many years for the day when they can start driving......so the government should really not change it.......

Kazmi, Nottingham, UK

i dont think that the driving age should go up, due to when people are turning 17 they have jobs and responsibilities and how are people ment to get to there job if they cant drive, i think you should maybe consider making the older take a test again when they reach a certain age because they put others in danager.

adelle brassington, congleton, england

If the diving age is raised to 18, then the stastics will be exactly the same as it will still be inexperienced, first year drivers causing accidents. It doesn't matter what the age limit is, there will always be accident by idiots who drink and drive. Teenagers will have no where to go and we will end up with even more drunken yobs on the street corners. The majority of teens enjoy a drink but are responsible young people. They should not be judged by the few idiots who are irresponsible!!

Grace Keyworth, Kidderminster,

what a stupid idea! there will always be idiots on the road and im sure the mp's are some of them driving around in their expensive cars thinking they know what is what! there are sensible young people an all! what about younger people who have a long way to travel to college or when their parents wont drive them around anymore! they should seriously rethink this one!!!!

alice , Rochdale, uk

i am also 16 and in september i would like to start driving becuase my sister also started when she was 17, there are some people out there that get drunk etc and then drive and it is that population of Teens that are causing this for other teenagers to start driving at the age of 17. it also makes you feel more independant and it gives you a thing to look forward to whilst at college or sixth form.

Timothy Kok, Basildon, England

what a stupid idiotic waste of time!!, you do drivers between the age of 18 and 40 drive like idiots??, well why not put the age up to 50?, then that might solve your problems. no matter what age groups are on the road there will always be unexperienced nervous drivers and the reckless ones.
Gordon brown i class him or call him "pathetic"
what a life? its not going to do much!!!!

sean, melrose, scotland

personally i dont think that the idea f raising the age limit to 18 is a bad idea, one year is not much difference and also it is the legal limit of people being able to drink the two should be kept seperate. The no alcohol ruling is a very good idea however. you are likely to encourage more problems by increasing the age by one year than what it is worth.

Harri, UK,

im 16 and will be starting my driving lessons in feb i think this is a totally stupid idea to raise the age at the age of 17 your an adult and should be aloud to drive and other people of this age shouldnt get punished because there are other reckless drivers out there and it would save my dad alot of time as hes my taxi at the moment.

sarah, oxford, uk

im 17 and have just started driving its my passion, i wouldnt be reckless even if i tried geting behind the wheel makes me feel free and independent to cruise the roads like a dove. please dont ruin my life

katie pike, luton,

Hi there i think that changing the age is really silly i tottally dissagree with the idea and think it should be scrapped in every way shape and form i am 16 and will be driving in january 09 and will be really upset if the age limit rises i strongley disagree it will also save my mum alot of work ferrying me from place to place all the time. i hope i have got my point accross

Dan, orpington, england

i think if you change it to 18 you might see a difference in number of deaths but you will see an massive increase in kids joy riding if you

ali, derby, uk

I am also 16 and can not wait to start driving!!
I am already working and planning on going to college out of my town!!
For me not to be able to drive until I am 18 will mean that I will have restricted independence and be relying on my parents to ferry me place to place!!

Dawn, Luton, England

im 16 and i think changing the age is stupid i live in a small viliage in the middle of nowere and it takes me nearly 2 hours to get to college on but and personaly i cant wait to start driving coz it means i dont have to walk 4 miles to my bus stop so dont change the age just be more careful who you allow to have licences.

stacey, stogumber, somerset

I think this is stuped. i am 16 and just payed out alot of money for a moped and now i wont be able to drive it. if the law goes up all that is going to happen is you will fine more people driving without a lisence. It is not younge people thast are dangeruse on the road it is the elderly drivers.
some university courses you need to have a c1 on your driving lisens to do the course and now you cant even get a lisense for example to there is a course to become a paromedic at uni.
i think they are going the wrong way i agreee with the 1 year learngin but if they are going to do it it sould be from 17 and not include the age rubbish. i think if everyone writes to number 10 they will relise how this is bad. young people need to stand up and be herd say no!!!

George Vincent, wells, somerset

i Am 15 & want to drive.I have wanted to drive since i was a wee girl young people are moiture drivers the same as adults. Adults probarly speed more than 17 & 18 Yeer Olds. I dont see whats the matter with under age drivers...put out more cameras make life more easier instead of young people wanting drive so badly they cant !

hayley fullerton, paisley, scotland

i'm 16 now, i've been driving since i was 10 due to living on a farm and my dad owning a garage, i think that if the age raises now it will be completely unfair on the good drivers who aren't going to cause deaths on the road. i think raising the age will just cause dispute all over the UK... why not try making the test more difficult so that you leave with more expierence and only the better drivers would pass.

Callum, Cheltenham,

i am 17 and have passed my test, i am one of the more experienced drivers in my year group because i did the advanced driving test. also i learned in a bm 328 coupe. i had been looking forward to driving because it gives you freedom and i agree with Scott from Lanark, people need to be able to drive when they are 17 because of transport to and from work. i feel sorry for those who are younger and are going to have to wait another year. but even though you are putting up the age do you really think that they are going to be calmer with there right foot for having to wait another year, i think not.

john, carlisle,

I am sixteen, seventeen this may and have been looking forward to being able to drive since i was little.
i think it is out of order to stereotype all seventeen year olds, i agree that some act very irresponsibly on the road and are a danger to themselves and others, but we are not all like that!
instead of this probationary period or raising the age to 18, why don't they make the test more rigourous, wth more aspets of knowledge, this way you will gain you license will more experience of driving and a better knowledge or cars and roads.
i would be devesated if i was told i couldnt drive after waiting my whole life!!

Liam Donelly, birmingham, enlgand

i have had a provisional driving licence for around 6 months now and i have been driving a moped i am looking forward to taking my driving test when i turn 17 i am a good driver and do not think that it is fair to raise the age limit because not all young people are bad drivers if anything i believe that the driving tests should be more intense and require a lot more knowledge to be able to pass them

sarah, mansfield, england

They have been suggesting to raise the age limit for years now, personally i think its a terrible idea if you look at more figures you will see it isnt just new drivers that cause accidents some are due to the excitement but not all are. I think people who require more experience should be getting this before being allowed to drive anyway more should be done and people who sat their tests before 1990 should have to do it again because its all changed the testing is more stricter.

I am 16, i have been driving since i was 12 due to my dad owining a garage i have had 4 years experience at driving all types of cars from small to SUV's to sports cars such as a lotus elise i know i can pass my test first time a driving instructor has even said im capable of doing it.

People need transport, when people leave school and get a job they need some way of getting there and dont say public transport is the answer, i live in the countryside where there is no public transport

Scott, Braehead, Lanark UK

I believe it is unfair to restrict the freedom of people at the age of seventeen. Many people who are just reaching the age of seventeen will be relying on a car to get to and from work/college. It would be impossible to do so without a method of personal transport (most popular being a car). This would result in fewer young people getting jobs or alternately limit the options of post sixteen education available. On top of this the reduction in young people in employment would surely effect the economy in some way.

Also, young people who will miss out on attaining their license before they age is raised will turn to mopeds for transport. Surely a car is more safer than a moped only capable (legally) of 30mph? If anything, raising the driving age will only result in the death of more young motorcyclists.

Mark Walker, Wolverhampton, England

Rumours are it is going up in July/August preventing people who have a birthday in August. Is it true?

If this is true that is soo unfair since my brithday is in August and that cuts right at the end of my school year (year), meaning i am going to be one of very few in my year not being able to drive, you can't blame every 17 year old for a minority who spoil it.

Please do not raise the age!!

Ian, Bridgend, Wales

Driving is a responsibility... a huge responsibility. But you have to look at the wider picture. People who are 17 aren't babies. They know the responsibilities, or atleast most of them do. This is what always happens in life. The majority gets punished because of the minority. It's the same with insurance and everything else.
I think this idea is overall quite good as it shouldnt affect me but alot of 17 year olds need to drive. At the end of the day... they can work at 16 and for alot of jobs in the modern world driving is a must have skill. So even though i think it is a good idea i dont believe it to be a practical one so i will have to say i disagree with it.

Tom Casey, North East, England

Ive just read about 20 of the comments... I think the government need to read up on what the public are saying about this... And I completely agree with someone who said about the smoking age going up to 18 and what difference does that make? Its made none what so ever... I should know, I was 16 when they raised the age and Im having no trouble at all getting cigarettes now - just as i had no trouble when I was under 16. Im never really particularly interested in politics but its ideas like this (which are obviously disliked by the public) that really get to me. And I don't know if its just me thats noticed it but its ever since Tony Blairs gone? Stop diminishing the freedom of the teenage generation - the majority of us are good people, and should be treated that way.

Laura , Hampshire,

I disagree with this also. When I will be 18 I hopefully will be in collage and when will I have the time to learn how to drive? I think that the better answer would be that 17 year olds can only drive a car with a small engine. It doen't matter how old you are because if you drive a pwerfull car you will put you foot down. In the U.S.A. you can drive when your 16 and do they have a larger death rate than us?

Kerry, Wales,

i disagree

bill, bethlhem,

if we finish school at the age of 16 then we need transportation to get us work when we are 17, if the age limit goes up if reduces my chance of getting the job i want. if u want to try and stop so many deaths u should limit the engine power give to newly passed driver insted of not letting them drive at all

christopher carmody, cardiff, wales

I'm a 16 year old who will be learning to drive in about 3 months i live in the middle of nowhere so it a definate need for me to begin driving as soon as i can because as this means i can travel to school and work, so putting the driving age up to 18 will just be stupid as many teenagers around me will be learning to drive at this time. We are trusted to get married and have children at 16 so why are we not trusted with a car. Please just keep the age at 17 as not all of the teenagers learning to drive are dangerous like the minority that cause accidents

ashleigh mcdonald, blairgowrie,

I am a passed driver and i passed within 3 months of turning 17.
I was never a good driver till i got the experiance of nobody telling me what to do. I learnt by myself by making decisions for all types of situations.
By moving the age up will one increase the use of mopeds being used by 16 year olds.(which we all no is more dangerous that and 17 year old driving) and secondly will put many driving instructors out of jobs.
All this problems to solve somthing which must have other soultions too.

jamie, london,

I think that making all 17 year olds drive on a provisional for a year is a stupid idea. At 16 you can join the army, and possibly have the risk of dieing for your country, now why should people be able to die for a crap country like this at 16, but be deprived of driving on their own until they are 18. Why cant the government see that changing age limits is never going to solve anything, the smoking age went up to 18, what good has it done, there are still many under 16's around the country smoking! Just leave things the way they are!!

Nick EVans, Rugeley, Staffs

As a driving instructor this proposal would probably put me out of work as about 90% of my pupils are 17. it would also reduce the amount of people taking the test so making examiners fail more people to keep them in work. Although most younger people are involved in crashes I do not think this is the answer. The answer is to police the roads properly and keep the idiots off the road not take it out on the inocent people. If the age limit goes up to 18 then all that will do is stop 17 year olds being involved in accidents but make 18 year olds be involved in accidents. Police the roads properly is the answer!!!

Andy, Coventry,

i was so egar to pay driving and get a car as i am approaching 17, i was thinking to drive safely as i am extremely good at obeying the law, but this is just another shock to me in this sense as i was so passionate to drive safely by passing, this has totally ruined my passion, thanks.

azzy, leeds, u.k

there will be an immense problem for me as i live in village and was planning to start lessons.

azzy, leeds, u.k

My Youngest daughter wont be 18 till 3 weeks before she goes to university in 2010 and therefore wont have chance to learn to drive before she goes, she wont be the only one in this position- so only those who dont ever go to uni will have the chance to be on the road at 18!!!!!!! that means any intelligent kids will be denied the opportunity to learn to drive unitl they have finished does this really solve the problem? I dont think so! I would rather her learn while she is at home and we can give advice and support rather than be thrown in a the deep end when she is older.

Liz, Nottingham,

I think this proposal is pointless. I am coming up to 17, and before I heard abou this I was eager to drive and pass my test. Now i'm considering not trying to learn straight away. What is the point of learning how to drive for a year when you can't go anywhere without another qualified driver. They might aswell drive and you can save money on not having to buy insurance. I don't wana be paying high insurance rates for a year when I can only drive around with an adult by my side. It would be a waste of time and money.
Along with that, they say it will be safer to have the year learning, but thats a fat lotta good when you get smashed into buy another young driver who hasn't had to wait to get the test when you have.
There really is little good from this in my eyes.

My last thought is that it is very convienient to have the same age limit for the legal drinking age and the legal dirving age. What a nice combination to have. Seems to me like someone hasn't thought this through.

Ed, Taunton, England

fuk the Association of British Insurers and their stupid proposals, if they want a 12 month trainin period, that'll mean tht i cant drive myself to college every mornin, in my second year, and my parents cant as they work so i'll have to use buses again and they are shite tbh as they never turn up when u need them and as a car journey takes about 10 mins from my house to college a bus can take anywhere up to 1 and half hours!!! as i need to make a change half way throgh too and they are always late!
Also i bet their stupid trainin programme is gonna cost loads too, as if they arent rakin the money in already from all the young drivers around now, so wat i reckon is, that if they wanna like bring in this 12 month programme, they should pay for it and decrease every young drivers insurance cost by at least 50%.

n00b, WUSTA,

My first thought when I heard that the government was going to raise the legal driving age was of horror, this is not because I feel that 17 is a good age to learn to drive but the problem is much bigger for people like myself and my daughter, as we live in a village in rural Surrey and public transport is vertually non existant not to mention that that the nearest bus stop is a 40 minute walk away down roads some of which have no footpaths and in the winter are very poorly lit and isolated!
My daughter is due to attend the nearest college in September '08 and by car is a 7 minute drive away but is very difficult by public transport, and until she can drive herself I am unable to return to work as I will need to take her and collect her on winter evenings. so she needs to drive in order to get from a to b. There are a lot areas where owning a car is imperative. The Government as ever need to look at the bigger picture and the true impact of what they propose!

K Hill, Mayford, England

Driving is an important factor for people when they reach the age of 17, and essential for travel to work or college. Most people are thankful that they can drive at 17, and want to drive for the necessity, not the thrill. Young drivers causing accidents cannot be stopped by raising the age, even if they cannot drive untill 25, they are still the same person, and will be the same driver. Increasing the age is definatley not the answer

Andy, Manchester,

i am 16 and planning to leave school at the end of this year. I am planning to get a job in a hospital in edinburgh. My family are moving to a farm in the scottish borders. I will not be able to get a bus or train to edinburgh without at least a 20 minute drive. As my parents both have full time jobs they will not be able to drive me. When they baught a new house they were under the impression that i would be able to drive soon after i left school however if this changes in am left in a situation where i can't get to whare i need to be! i am stuck!

Sarah, Dunbar, Scotland

Personaly i feel this is BS! This is simpy a quick fix for a period of a year or so yes accidents in the 17-25 year group will fall with less 17-25's sitting the test and passing. Percentages will fall and reports released on the governments success. A year on and it will come apparant that the previous stats for 17-25 look awfully similair to those of the new 18-26's what then will they increase the driving age to 19. Oh few years on and 19-27's are crashing lets increase to 20 then 21 then 22 then 23 .. 30 then 31 when will this absolute complete stupidity stop. Increasing the age changes nothing the new drivers on the streets will always have less expericance than those who have been driving for 10 years, accidents involving people with less expericaned drivers is always going to happen. The key to fixing the problem is to make it more dificult to pass your test, im not saying make it impossible but providing the new drivers with the skills and experiance to stay safe is the answer.

Shaun Oman, Wick, Caithness

Firstly, at the age of 18 you can legally buy alcohol meaning that the urge to drink will be even greater for newly qualified drivers. Secondly, many 17 year olds depend on cars for transport to work but as usual, the government expect everybody to either take the bus, ride a bike or walk. As for the motorway ban, what really is the point in stopping young drivers from using the motorway because i believe that the motorways are the safest roads we have and more accidents happen on congested streets. I think its about time the government listened to the voice of the people instead of making stupid decisions between themselves! Remember, todays youngster is tomorows voter.

Ryan Mitchell-Lay, Larkhall, Scotland

I think Britain should bring out the same driving system as they have in Australia, being able to drive from the age of 16, they start their driving lessons from 15. They are not allowed over 60 Miles per hour or allowed to drive at night without having a number of night driving lessons. For their first year of driving they must show red "P" plates and for the second year green "P" plates.

Ryan Mitchell-Lay, Larkhall, Scotland

so why make it 18?

Mark Stewart, Larkhall, Scotland

I think that the driving age should not raised to 18 because the law shouldn't be changed just because there are a few idiots on the road showing off and trying to be "cool" to their "mates" because some of us will need their own way of getting around like where there isn't any public transport in remote areas of Dorset and like Daniels comment where it is too dangerous to ride a moped in places. Instead of taking drastic measures and changing the driving age, I think that there should be a zero alcohol limit instead . It would also be a reasonable idea to limit people under the age of 22 or something to use low powered cars which only give out a maximum of 90bhp.

Martin, Sturminster Newton,

i think that driving age shoudl not be raised because not everyone would make the same mistakes as the fools who did before. I want ot drive when i am 17 and i cant wait. I need to drive to get to my college because taking publib transport is too difficult. I think that teenagers should have a chance to have their say and we say no to raising the minimum age to drive!!

Jasmine Lokadoon, southall,

at 16 I'm counting the days til i can drive.. with soo many life changing decisions i have made (in regards to education/working) so at 17 you make the responsible choice that you wish learn how to drive; then this should be one thing that as young adults, we should have controll over. After being tested the results will show whether we should drive or not! with smoking gone up i agree with as its which is very benificial helps every1 especially the next generation according to health. please dont judge all young people for the mistakes of others!

jess, kent,

I live 5 miles from the nearest bus stop, I started college recently and as i am only 16 I have to drive a moped to this bus stop. I live in rural part of Mid wales where there are lots of steep, twisty dangerous roads and i feel extremely unsafe on a moped!!. I would not be able to carry on at college if I didnt get a car soon as there is no transport available from here and I would not be able to use my moped during the winter.!!

Daniel, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales

my view on this is that this is completely stupid a few teens aged 17 and over might show off yet it is same with older men and women i believe this is an other form of sterotyping brought onto teens i know this as i am 16 now and am looking forward to taking my test so i can become more independent i now have no way of reaching college on time as buses are almost never on time and my universaity is unreachable by one bus so i have to take many buses which is not a cheap pleasant experience and i think most people who agree that this is fair are people who believe that it is fair to blame and force teens to strugle please lets not make our future hard for us put yourself in our shoes when u was 17 how independant did you feel ??

Aaron White, barnsley, south yorkshire

I think this is a superb Idea, I have been driving for just two years myself now, and I NEVER drive on a drop of alcohol. Last winter, I was introduced to ice, black ice, and snow, resulting in an accident because I was inexperienced in those conditions. similarly I have had several near misses where other drivers are inexperienced with poor visibility and bad weather. I also think the pass plus should be inforced upon everyone who holds a licence. I took one after my accident and the benefits are huge, you become so much more aware of whats going on & how to deal with extreme conditions/situations. I agree that inexperience and overconfidence is the killer, but when the majority of 17 year olds are just that what else can you do. Also driving on Private roads is very different to driving in the real world!

Trish, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

I think even the idea in raising the driving age from 17 to 18 is ridiculous it doesn't matter what age you are if you drive fast and dont take care on the road then your going to cause a accident. i was in a crash earlier in the year my boyfriend (who was 17 at the time) was doing 20 mph round a corner and another driver (58) coming from the opposite direction was going too fast (40mph) to take the turn and came across the road into the front of our car. so this proves its not the age that causes accidents.

Gemma, Isle of Wight, UK

ib cabada people can get their learners permit at 16 but they can only drive with one friend in the car at the mmost but they can fill the car with family. why dont we do something like this because drivers mainly show of if they have friends in the car. i dont care if i have friends in the car but i need my driving licence to get to work and stuff!!! who the hell put you in charge of telling me what to do with my life.

in newzeland people can drive at the time they are 14 or 15??? so why the hell are we putting our driving age up to 18 again???

april, bristol, england

I turned 16 in October and have been driving on private land for the past 3 years on and off. I think it's unfair and criminal to stop under 17's from driving and also its not age that kills it's inexperience and overconfidence behind the wheel.

Simon, Derby, Derbyshire

I absolutely cannot believe that this is happening. As nick said, you cannot do it just a random day in the year. It is toatally unfiar that some people in my year group (year 12) can drive and others like me cant. How is that fair, if your going to do it, then make it by school years (year 13 cut off date) This will absolutely ruin my life all i have wanted to do for the last 3 years is drive myself around. Not to pose a danger and try to kill people! this is ridiculous, you cant do this to us! Its not going to make any difference anyway, as has been already said. no matter how old you are, people drive cars fast. 17 or 35? what difference does it make? Please dont do this to us. Its morally unfair.

Taylor Conway, Essex, UK

I'm 16 now and by the time they move up the age limit I'll be about 2 months from being able to drive. I need to be able to get to university by car at 18 and i wont be able to do it if I'm having to learn to drive at 18.

mia quarterman, evesham, united kingdom

I was going to say something but seeing as stephan has just said everything for me i dont need to. I am also 16 and the one thing i will say is that if the government do raise the driving age then it should be done by school years not a random day in the year which would stop all people after that day from driving and allowing all there peers to drive. it would ruin my last year at 6th form!

Nick Evans, South woodham Ferrers, England

I think this is crap. If they take the age up to 18 all it will do is make more 18 year old's get killed on the roads and make the under 25 rate go up to under 26. changing the the age from 17 to 18 will not help the rate at all. I am 16 and since i was 4 years old all i have wanted is my driving licence and now i am within a year of getting it, it is going up. Yer we get the odd people who all they want to do is show off and go fast but i personally no 30 year old's that have just pasted there test and do that and have crashed. Changing the age will not make a diffence. We seem to be following the U.S.A in everything else we do so why can't we do the same here and let us drive at 16. This country is ment to have freedom of speech and we should be able to say what we think and have a say what goes on in the conutry but latly that has been taken away. Example the smoking ban did we get a say in that. the goverment needs to sort its self out and think what is really best for BRITAIN!!!!

Stephen, swansea, wales

i believe that increasing the legal driving age will affect many young people because at the age of 17 you start to go 2 university and college and maybe a different 6th form and so on
you hold a lot of new responsibilities and if someone is responsible enough to carry on their education they are responsible to drive safely.

Raz Shah, Bradford, England, West Yorkshire

I think this is crap. If they take the age up to 18 all it will do is make more 18 year old's get killed on the roads and make the under 25 rate go up to under 26. Changing the age from 17 to 18 will not help the rate at all. I am 16 and since I was 4 years old all I have wanted is my driving licence and now I am within a year of getting it, it is going up. Yer we get the odd people who all they want to do is show off and go fast but i personally no 30 year old's that have just pasted there test and do that and have crashed. Changing the age will not make a difference. We seem to be following the U.S.A in everything else we do so why can't we do the same here and let us drive at 16. This country is meant to have freedom of speech and we should be able to say what we think and have a say what goes on in the country but lately that has been taken away. Example the smoking ban did we get a say in that. The government needs to sort its self out and think what is really best for BRITAIN!!

Stephen, swansea, wales

raising the driving age won't help at all. if you can pass the test at 17 that means you can drive according to all of th highway code and just because your now 18 won't change the fact you are able to drive according to the highway code.

many 16 year olds are waiting patiently for 1 more year to be able to drive not just because they'll be cool in school but mostly because of their need to drive. some families can't drive and so when their 16 year old grows up and is able to drive their lives become easier.

i myself am 1 of these 16 year olds. i have 2 autistic brothers. is means i can't go to many experiences because my mother must stay with them at all times and so she can't take me anywhere and public transport is so bad that it is not worth the hassle. my ability to drive would mean i could take my brothers.

just remember we are all going to become your voters and some your colleagues so think carefully about how you treat us

james Renwick, wallington, surrey

So where do the statistics show how many 17 year olds cause death by driving a car. The age of 25 years and below to show statistics is laughable. Afterall how many 45 year olds cause death by driving a car, you never hear of those exact figures do you.

My son is not looking at going to college full-time when he finishes school next July (2008), he turns 17 in September 2008 and as he is going on to do a Mechanical Engineering Appreticeship that could be anywhere within a 50 mile radius of Swansea he would be expected to commute - ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT, I THINK NOT - so yet again those powers that be have become blinkered and unable to see the future of our economy being completely undermined because our young people will not be able to go to work and learn a trade in order to fulfill their ambitions.

Our 'wrapped in cotton wool' politicians (who never drive anywhere) need to consult with the young ambitious people of this country (future voters Mr Brown) and not tar all the same

Sue Spencer, Swansea, UK

soo has the age gone up or not?

luke, lewisham,

Whats the matter with you people! This country is becoming such a cotton wool society nowaday, i dont understand how one more year will change anybodys actions. Firstly, at the age of 18 you can legally buy alcohol meaning that the urge to drink will be even greater for newly qualified drivers. Secondly, many 17 year olds depend on cars for transport to work but as usual, the government expect everybody to either take the bus, ride a bike or walk. As for the motorway ban, what really is the point in stopping young drivers from using the motorway because i believe that the motorways are the safest roads we have and more accidents happen on congested streets. I think its about time the government listened to the voice of the people instead of making stupid decisions between themselves! Remember, todays youngster is tomorows voter.

Michael Newell, Romford, Essex

Forget lowering the age limit youths are invincible at 18 too.
Set a maximum BHP so that they cannot drive any car produced or modified above this. This will reduce deaths more than any other factor.
In the 70's the government went about it the wrong way with motorcycles by allowing a 250cc engine to be ridden by learners. This allowed, mainly the Japanese, to produce 100mph+ motorcycles that were legal. The death toll was foreseeable but not by those in power. Don't make the same mistake and use engine size as a limit, it doesn't work.

Secondly reduce the population of this country by 20 million and give everyone the space to drive a car including 17 year olds! Congestion is the major influence in low speed accidents.

David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK

THE GOVERNMENT IS ADDRESSING THE SITUATION IN A COMPLETE STATE OF IGNORANCE. It seems the older polotitions have forgotton what its like being a young adult and not been able to drive. Haveing to get from place to place by either dragging a hesident parent out to take you or haveing to use THE PISS POOR TRANSPORT SYSTEM(im sure it has'nt changed much since they used it- sort it out !!!).
To say someone is able to drive better at 18 than 17 is ridiculous,as it depends completly on the individual. Also THE SCIENTIFIC FACT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RETAIN INFORMATION AND LEARN NEW SKILLS BETTER THE YOUNGER WE ARE COMPLETELY CONTRODICTS THAT ARGUEMENT.
A persons attitude dosent change over a year and lets face it there are always going to be idiots that are just accidents waiting to happen and the only thing thats going to get them to slow down is a good scare.
YOU CANT CHANGE THE HUMAN NATURE TO PUSH THE LIMITS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sean, nottingham,

Yes, there are problems, but the authorities are again re-acting by knee-jerk, sound-bite and must-be-seen-to-be-doing-something'ism, without reason or logic.

1. Males under 25 WILL drive like crazy for a certain time, whether they begin at 14 or 24.
Start them at 12!

2. ZERO alcohol? A tighter limit by all means, but alcohol is produced in the body, especially by those who eat fruit -- eg 5 a day? Not thinking, are we?

3. "Almost one in two drivers killed at night is under 25." This figure is meaningless unless accompanied by the proportion of night-time drivers who are under 25. Most boxing injuries are sustained by people under 50.

4. Motorways?!!? Ban inexperienced drivers from what are, even with their presence, our safest roads by far? That this idea has even arisen says much about the proposals and about the way in which the proposers approached their task.

PS: there may be many typos -- sorry. This miserable little text window occupies 6% of my screen!

Gordon Semple, Garstang, UK

I am eagerly awaiting my seventeenth birthday and i'm frankly sick and tired of young people being used as scapegoats all the time! It is utterly ludicrous to raise the driving age, in my opinion its OAPs causing the majority of problems and they are the ones that should be re-tested! Leave us alone! Punishing us is not the answer to the lunitic drivers out there!

Annoyed Teenager, Cambridge,

Like many others have said, the age is not the issue it is the experience levels! It is experience that counts!

If you look at the current test, it is ridiculous! For instance you are not required to show the ability to drive on a motorway yet after 40minutes with the examiner your magically legally allowed to do so, but don't worry because you can demonstrate where you can top up your radiator!

I've done several driving courses and those are the real skills needed in case of an emergency. Why are you not required to demonstrate the ability to handle a car under a skid or how to appropriately avoid a child that may run out in front of you!

I think the test needs to be broadened in its expectations of new drivers and a requirement of 30hrs under proffesional instruction in varios conditions (at least driving at night/darkness) and as mentioned above don't moan about the costs as your insurance and the cost of petrol won't be much cheaper!

Answer me that Gordon!

Mark Kohter, Essex, England

Surely the government has missed the point again, if young car drivers were restricted to less powerful engines for 2 years after passing their test, much like young motorcyclists, then they would be less likely to be involved in fatal accidents. It is not the amount of time spent with the instructor which improves skills but experience. This way they can gain that experience without having a vehicle which is capable of such dangerous speeds.

G Skinner, Aberdeen, UK

This is absolutely ridiculous. Driving lessons are far too expensive for people to have to pay for even more of them. Some people will learn to drive faster than others therefore more driving lessons wil be unnecesary and a waste of money. By the time a child reaches 17/18 they are expected to be responsible for themselves and others. Not all people who crash are 17 and 18, but the people who are should not be able to ruin the priveledges that come with being 17 for everybody else. Maybe tougher penalties for those who do endanger the lives of others?

Jenn, Reddish,

As the Government should in the US the UK should lower the drinking age and raise the driving age.

I agree with the Director of Health for NHS, John Aston whom said:

"We need some creative solutions and what we haven't tried is to treat them like adults, and to expect them to behave like adults in return," ; "We also have to find ways of setting realistic ambitions, such as not drinking every night of the week or drinking with food, rather than just to get drunk."

The idea in this is that if treated like adults, youths may cultivate maturity and responsibility, is not new. But, some how it has been ignored and created this disparity. Why tell a youth to learn to be responsible for the lives of others before they are allowed to be responsible with their own life.

I do not however believe that driving should be based on some subjective maturity, education, IQ or other Class-ist Test. I am sure people proposing these would rather the immigrants leave and the poor get paid less.

A.T.H.Klasovsky, Honolulu, Hawaii

I''ve recently passed my driving test at 18 and I think that the new ideas are simply ridiculous. As it is, a driving lesson costs at least £20 a go and the test is £50 without even the hire of the car. Extending the amount of learning time is too expensive and will put many people off learning to drive. The move will also push up insurance for people in their early 20s and surely wont stop the problem of road accidents. People will just drive recklessly a year later in life. It's not age which makes people dangerous drivers but the feeling that they can do anything after passing their driving test.

Sarag, st albans, england

In Alberta Canada, young drivers get their learner's permit at 14! Allbeit they have to have a qualified driver sit with them, but nevertheless at 14 - they are still in nappies. Not only that but they are not limited as to the size of vehicle they can drive. There is no shortage of massive SUVs and trucks with very powerful engines over here.

All the power to the UK I say, keep the babies off the road and keep the rest of us safe.

Barbara, Alberta, Canada

Barbara Stuart, Calgary, Canada

Age isn't the problem, it's maturity that counts. There are people of all ages who should never be allowed behind the wheel. It's enforcement that is needed, and clarification of the current law.

Bill Sticker, Birmingham,

It seems that being required to be able to spell, and to have at least some idea of grammar would filter out quite a lot of would be young drivers. The aggresion that comes across in so many of these comments could usefully be addressed, but how? An IQ test may be a good start.

D.L. Stephens, York, England

its not about age, its about EXPERIENCE... they could move it up to 25 and the people at this age would be more likely to crash! the younger the better i think (to an extent) so they can improve their skills at a young age. If they are that bothered make the test harder or longer.

Rob, Scunthorpe, England

Age is really irrelevant. The problem is the boy racers and show offs who think they are Lewis Hamilton and find out the hard way that they are not - often to the detriment of innocent people. Zero tolerance by the police, heavy fines and/or disqualification would help but you will never stop the show off
whatever his/her age.

paul, letchworth, england

By all means raise your driving age... here in New Zealand, the little sods are allowed to drive at 15! Saves me a fortune in petrol actually, having these 'children' on the roads is a great incenctive to stay home...

Rob , Auckland, NZ.

I don't think the age should change. Why don't they just make the test harder so that only drivers with a good level of road awareness and sense can pass?!

Craig, inverness,

shouldnt be done because look at people that work im only 16 and i cant keep askin my mum and family to pick me up they work no where near i do and that means they will be travelling up to 40miles a day just to pick me up and take me home!

kerry, cambs, england

Sounds like a great idea to me. And whilst you're at it, why not block all inexperienced drivers from driving powerful cars (easily achieved via insurance ratings)? And for all those teeny boppers complaining about ageism, it applies to all new drivers. And for those worrying about the cost - did you think owning a car is cheap? Or weren't you going to bother with insurance...

Adrian, Herts,

i think that the driving age should sy the same and nt change a think its all stupid and there more over 20s that driver worse

si smith , conwall,

I think probitional period for yong driver should be 2yrs and has to be very clean before they get the full driving license.

nasim pathan, london, uk

driving is needed for a young person as a young person i know that driiving is needed because when you leave school you are needed two start payin bord,and a job that is far away from home the buses are not very good always late every1 knows that, changing the limit is stupid i agree with darren
the goverment should start taking old people of the road they cause meny meny near misses i had one in the car with my dad the ohter day the goverment need 2 sort they heads out

Shane Andrews, castleford, wakefield

Driving is a priviledge, not a right. Especially in these days of global warning. If it saves one life it will be a bonus and may have the added effect of reducing congestion and helping to sustain a better public transport system which is now underused now that so many students have cars.

Is there a driver under 25 who doesnt feel they are a good driver ?????
Gill Truro

Gill Turner, , Truro, Cornwall

There are very few accidents, just bad driving and most of these (apart from the current trend of driving on the wrong side of the road) is caused by speed. discuss

Penny Turner, , Truro, Cornwall

Being someone who drives considerable distances for my work I tend to find that although there are some younger drivers who lack the skill, reducing the age is not likely to stop the problem. What is needed is more education and harsher penalties for those who break the laws, not just the young.
I've been made late more times than I can count by very old drivers who are incapable of controlling a car going more than 40 mph, maybe the government should be dealing with them as well as the young...

Darren Hughes, March, UK

it really is not fair that all young individuals have to be held up with gaining a full drivers liscence because of certain people who do not care about their own lives whilst on the road. the government should tagert individuals instead of all young people. i am 17 and feel that i am a competent driver and now i am being informed that i may have to wait until i am 21 until i can even apply for my provisional...it is not a fair situation and will just cause young people to drive illegally. who wants to be 20 and not even have a provisional liscence???the rate of crime in theis area may well increase because of these dicisions!!!!

jamz, north, london

I believe the argument that young drivers should be restricted from motorway driving is plausible, but this is merely because having recently passed my driving test, i have discovered motorway driving is not taught as a part of the practical examination! What a disgraceful decision. Motorway driving requires constant concentration, yet only pass plus drivers will be taught how to drive on them. Learner drivers simply need to be taught how to drive correctly and safely in varying conditions, they should not just be taught how to pass the exam!

Toby Bond, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

Leave the age as it is, stop the discrimination shown by the insurance companies, just because I'm male does not mean that I will have an accident, I stick to the speed limits more effectively than most of the readers of the Times judging by the complaints about speed cameras.
Why not limit top speed of the car, most young drivers have accidents because they are traveling too fast. Keep it restricted to 70mph (you would hate to have accidents due to impatience from older drivers) and will you please teach the current generation (of which I am a member) that a coherent argument has to have correct spelling. Lose the nanny state and bring back the cane.

John Jowitt, Uxbridge, England

Like most of the people above i am 16 and i am looking forward to drive next year, and low and behond i read this article and explode. I can drive perfectly well and now i am denied the use of a car on the road for another year!!!!! I am totally against the raise in the driving age! Not all teenagers are reckless drivers!!!

William Barnett, Tiverton, Devon

i am sixteen i av been wanting to drive since i turned 16. i am no maniac av been out wiv my dad a couple of times n i have dun wel. but i think if u bring this rule in it should be september 2008 wer as all this and partly next year will be able to drive if they are 17!!

barry, rochdale, england

If they raise the driving age to 18, then the most accidents (in a single age bracket) will be by 18 year olds. If they raised the minimum driving age to 30, guess which age would have the most accidents. A lot of it comes down to experience, as well as driving sensibly.

Also, if they say new drivers can't have any alcohol for the first year they have a licence, then after the first year those drivers will think it's acceptable to have some drink and then drive. If they're going to have zero tolerance on alcohol in the body when driving it should apply to everyone.

Andrew, Newcastle, England

I know i'm no where near old enough to drive, mostly because i'm 14; but everyone thinks young people are too immature, and i agree, some are, but on the other hand some can be very mature indeed,me included. I just can't wait to drive, i'm no maniac, no where near, but i want to drive!

Nickesh, Leicester,

I am 60, and started driving tractors aged 9. I have driven over 3 million miles without accident.

The issue is not driving mechanics but instruction.

I was taught be an ex police driver, and his key instructions are foremost inb my mind whenever I take the wheel.

17 is merely an arbitrary age - and could be younger without increased risk to the public.

Nanny state retreat - or face being the opposition next time around.

Richard, Bucharest, Romania

I hope MPs are reading all these comments, clearly raising the driving age will be VERY unpopular indeed! I am 16 and today I did a bit of driving on private land for the first time, and although it was very slowly and not very far, it was such a liberating feeling! I cannot wait until I am 17 and can take the test! I would be so upset and restricted in my career choices if they were to raise the age! It's just not necessary! Besides, boy racers are no more mature at 18 than 17. Raising the age will not make a single bit of difference!

Alex, Surrey, England

The current Government appear to believe they can legislate away every ill that plagues society....apart from the real problems of obesity, cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems and violent crime (where the Government is apparently at a loss)

The 'problem' of inexperience drivers cannot be addressed simply by raising the minimum age by a few months. The Great Leader may not have noticed but many people delay learning to drive until they are in their 20s or even older.

Novice drivers should certainly be required to have a P-plate for the year subsequent to passing the test in order to advise other drivers of their comparative inexperience. Beyond that it is down to individual drivers to exercise due diligence on the roads. If insurance companies were quicker to recognise further advanced driving qualifications that would go a long way to making our roads safer.

Keith Mackman, Dunmow, Essex

i dont think its a good idea, being 17 myself and taking my driving test in a couple weeks (i know you think its wierd a 17 yr old being on the times site, but i read jeremry clarksons collum)

"Then at 16 they get behind a wheel- on the car park or at a driving centre"

Excatly, when i was 16, i was up on the moors with my dad in his 205 gti :D

aslong as everyone keeps a sensible head on whilst driving,then there would be less crashes, also in certian parts of USA you can be 14 and learn how to drive, and pass your test!

explain that to me gordon and tony!

pillocks.

Patch, Plymouth Devon,

Puting the driving age wont cut the amount of deaths on the roads, because when they pass there test at the age of 18 there is the same chance of going out and kill or injuring themselves.
I think bringing in the “RESTRICTED DRIVING LAW” which Ireland has is sensible. The “Restricted Driving Law” is where the driver passes there test at 17 then have to show R plates on their vehicle or there first year of driving, they also aren’t allowed to use motorways, go over 50mph and the aren’t allowed to consume any alcohol while driving.

Graeme, Scotland,

The age is almost immaterial, until people are taught to 'drive' and to be in complete control as opposed to moving a vehicle from A to B then there will always be the current accident rate.

Stephen Dolan, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Start teaching kids to drive at school. At age 15 they are able to start being taught the theory of the driving test and the operation and fundimentals of a dangerous machine. Then at 16 they get behind a wheel- on the car park or at a driving centre. This doesn't happen once a month but once a week or maybe even more. (Drop French lessons and religious Instruction to find the time) this is far more important and useful. By the age of 17 they can drive. Within weeks they then take pass plus and thereafter are taught advance driving and take their advance test.
It may even bring the habitual truant back into the class if he could see something of use in his education.

Peter Oldham, Rochdale, Lancs, England

I think the age rise on driving from 17 to 18 is unfair as i have a birthday in august that means i would have to wait an extra year to be able to learn which i dont think is very fair as i have horses to see to and will have a job to go to so i will have to pay a full adult price on the bus everyday i dont think that its gunna stop teenagers messing about in cars i dont think its fair at all because its them people who are being complete idiots on the road are stooping us who need a car to do things like go to work and see to my horses so being a student its guna cost me more money for busfares i dont think the people who thought of rising the age is bein very thoughtful they should of atleast put it at the end of the school year in which everyone who would have turned 17 in that year should get a chance to drive i think you people should aleast think about the facts about people instead of think about the nutters who are ruining things for us its not everyone who does it!

laura, newcastle,

What is the point?
it just means that people are going to half to wait an extra year! their is just no poit in that.
it isnt going to stop nething in the long run their will always be accsednts but is isnt just us younges that cause them!!!!
it does my headin that young people always get blamed as soon as something happens!!!!
just keep it the same save your self some time!!!!!!!!!!! xx

shanlou, london, england

What about the people who have birthdays at the very end of the academic year? When we have jobs for our social, personal individualism and wellbeing yet cant get to them at the age of 17 so will have to ask our parents for a lift or get the bus. This is taking away from our personal lifes and not letting us grow up sufficiently. I think that to put the age up is completley blank minded. Clearly you havent thought about what you are doing to the people that would drive carefully and would be considerate. Is this country and infact the world not continuoulsy talking about discrimination against people, is this not the exact same thing, discrimination against well behaved teenagers. As i said previously, as i am very young in my year it will prove impossible to get anywhere when all of my friends can move around to their free will and i have to rely on my poor parents who have taxied myself and my siblings around for years. Do you not think you should consider these aspects? i do.

Someone, Nottingham,

i have the same view as bradley howe in kent half of the year in my old school will all have to wait until there 18, unlike the other half who will be able to drive and i think it is an unfair atvantage to other teenages in the same school year as me.
another point is if the driving age is lifted to 18 im sure there will be a rise in car theft as the teenagers will want to drive.
yes some lads will drive around like mad people but it doesn't mean all of them will, i propose that if a young driver is pulled over for whatever reason when they ar 17 should be banned from driving until they are 18 and will have to retake there test

Rob Stalker, Frimsby,

Not all young drivers are careless! and most 17 year olds want to be independent. i am 16 years old and will be sending off for a provisional license exactly 3 months before my birthday (in january) i can allready drive a car and have road experience from riding a scooter.

the people in charge just don't think - on a news programme not so long back, an mp said "we need a ban on smoking whilst driving. if you're holding the cigarette in one hand and lighting it with the other, you have no hands on the wheel" well i'm pretty sure most smokers have the cigarette in their mouth when lighting it.

anyway - back on point - i'll be so pissed off if they change it to the year training period - alot of people wont be able to afford that many lessons! especially people from poor backgrounds like me.

KEEP THE MINIMUM AGE AT 17

andrew b, northampton,

Another case of Nanny State interference in the lives of ordinary folk to make allowances for the "Morons" amongst us. My son who is 15 has been driving go-carts since he was about 6 years old. His driving skills are better than most adults and on the track he frequently beats adults in kart racing. He is an intelligent well educated young man who is quite capable of driving on the roads now and would be far more skillful and considerate than most of the "Young scallys" I see on a daily basis razing around in souped up Escorts etc. It should be on an indvidual basis NOT on the basis of age. We all know that there are lunatic drivers of 30, 40, 50 and over out there - how do you legislate for them??

Stuart Hewlett-Clarke, Marple Bridge , Engfland Cheshire

im sorry if you agree with this rise but its not going to stop people stealing cars and driving illegally its going to increase car thefts and stuff like that.im 16 and im already planning on applying for my driving lessons for january as il be 17 bt this increase should only go to those of us that have a criminal record .

kirsti townsend, leicester, england

im 17 and i have bin having driving lesson now for 3months and had abou t10 lessons dz this mean that if i book for my test b4 this cums in i still will not be able to take it???? its stupid ur still gna get lads who have bin waiting all year 4 ther test but still gna drive how they want u cant change that can!!!!
KEEP IT THE SAME!!!!!!

Tom Mccarthy, leamington spa, warwickshire

i can see y u want to change the driving age.. however... in my opinion.. changing the driving age will change anything! everything will be the same. soo i think its pointless. also.. i have just recently got my provisional licence.. and now i here.. that i may have to wait till next yr. that is just no fair.. for all those ppl who have been waiting to learn how to drive.. and it is not fair.. for the ppl who will srive sensiably too!

someone, Rainham, England

thanks...

soo all the boy racers spoil it for people who respect the chance to be able to drive and depend on it for future needs...pointless, 1 year wont make a difference for driving but will spoile ppls working lives.

Craig Owens , bridgend , wales

i am 16, and i know sombody who is doing their lessons at the moment (he is in the same as me in school), but beacuse my birthday is late next year, i wont be able to drive until i am 18?? i think that it is a disgrace. i will have to wait another two years before i can drive, when all my friends are driving every where. i was told that the driving age was to come into action on the 4th of april am i right?? i think that if the age is put up at the end or the school year then it would be better because then the people in that year will all have to drive when their 18, as it stands half of my year will have to wait another two years to drive when the other half will be driving this year. even better just leave it as it is!!!

bradley howe, kent,

When does the driving age actually go up to 18, i dont think it will change any thing because teenagers will just do the same things on the roads as what they would when they were 17 and they will be more eagar to get on the road for having to wait an extra year and that could lead to them possibly driving more vigoursly.

Vikki , Barrow-in-furness, England

increasing the age limit to 18 is stupid as it will not change anything at all people who have just passed like the lads are just wanting to drive around like silly folk

lauren, barnsley, south yorkshire

Changing the law is not going to solve anything, all of this silly research is nonsence more senors cause deaths on roads because of there eye sights, 17 year olds need to get to school, if your so concerned about bad drivers then make the test harder. I Strongly dissagree with this new law change it will send kids out of control

Ria, Guildford, Surrey

why are we always grouped as "young people"?
im so sick of the...well ageism in this country
there's a hell of a lot of stupid teenagers, agreed
but shock horror some sensible ones exist too
im planning on driving myself and friends to school which is 8 miles away
as soon as i get my licence
my parents leave at 6:30 every morning
so i walk for a quarter of an hour (in the dark in freezing conditions in winter)
to get to a bus that is pretty bad
didn't even show up to get me home last friday
see why we want to drive? - you try it, it sucks!
how can you raise the limit and offer such useless transport alternatives?
and how is dragging the test out goin to help?
reckless drivers will be like that whatever their age or experience
test competance of ALL drivers, old and young for a change
instead of trying of doing the usual and banning teenagers
it's unfair that everything is dumped on the us
'coz not being entitled to a vote, we can't even complain about it

Josie, Bridgnorth, England

rasing the limit by one year is hardly going to make any difference - i think a 12 month training period is much more realistic - if anything the tests should be made harder but still allow 17 year olds to take them - it is a small minority contributing towards these statistics so therefore making the tests harder will ensure that young people take the responsibility of driving more seriously

jodie, scunthorpe, UK

i know if they raise the age limit alot of teens will start stealing and joyriding in cars so its no point raising it

ali, oldham,

I am fed up to the back teeth with young drivers being blamed for every accident on the road.I have three teenagers (17,19, 21) who have all passed their driving tests over a period of the last two years and have never caused, or been involved in an accident on the roads.I work in the NHS with elderly people aged 60 to 100 and the amount of these people refusing to give up their cars even when they are visually, physically and mentally impaired is staggering and frankly terrifying.GP's are reluctant to withdraw driving licenses as they feel the person will lose an important lifeline!! what about the people driving who cant remember their own names most of the time and are driving themselves to and from hospital appointments for Physiotherapy on replacement hips, knees etc.How quick are their reactions? Six years ago a neighbours son was killed on our local bypass by an elderly man pulling out of a layby into fast moving traffic at a snails pace.Make people retest every 3 years at 60.

Karen Darnell, Cambridgeshire,

I think the age for driving should not increase becouse it is not always the teenagers doin the accidents and a teenager ma self will not want that to heppen becouse i have medical problems and i mite need it for emergencey.and i always wanted 2 have a car for my self.i cnt wait but as soon as i found out it was goin to go up i rely got upset and anrey.so please do not increase it at least giv it another chanse

imran, london, england

I think it is stupid. You will still get young reckless drivers on the road, even if they are a year older. What needs to happen is; there needs to be harsher laws on younger drivers to try to prevent any accidents, not raise the legal driving age.

Ben, Preston, Lancs

Isn't the whole idea about raising the driving age about how sensible and mature young people are behind the wheel? Raising the driving age to 18 is not going to help this- it will merely postpone the same driving habits for another year. The benefits, therefore, are severely limited.

Keep the driving age at 17, I say. The people who NEED to get to work or school by car can therefore do so.

Michael , Spalding, Lincolnshire

It should stay at 17 beacause everyone expects young people to drive dangerously and crazy on the roads but some people just want 2 drive.Rising the age limit wont make a difference.Some young peoplewill still dangerously beacause they think they can drive but they cant they dont follow the rules and in the end they will crash.It should stay at 17 its not fair 2 rise it up 2 18.

Sion, Cricieth, Wales

I Personally Think Putting The Age Up To 18 Is Not A Good Idea. Young People Are Always Put In The Same Caterogy. Not All Young People Drive Dangerously, Some Drive More Sensibly Than Those Who Have Been Driving For Years! It Is Not Only Young People That Crash, People Who Have Been Driving For Years Crash Too. Im Getting Sick&Tired Of Young People Always Being Put Into The Same Caterogy As All Other Young People, We Are Not All The Same, We Are All Individual..!

?, chantry, suffolk

i think it should stay at 17 because i have been looking forward to do my tests n not every one under 18 is not mature enuff to drive

diane, irvine,

i think the test should stay to 17..moving it up to 18 or wateva is going to make no difference at all.. wateva age u pass ur test u still have no expereince anyway.. i think that there should be a limit 2 a engine size but def think increasing the age is no point..! wat about the ppl who need a car to go 2 work or need a car in an serious situation!! ppl are just going to drive without insurance and without license! god for bit if sum1 gos in labour, has an accidient or wateva and sum1 who is 17, 18 and should have the test and sum1 dies whos going to take the responsibilty over that...??...only the ppl who put the test up.

shane, n.ireland,

hiya i reckon the driving age should stay at 17 because sum of us are mature enuff and sinseable enuff not 2 go and drive fast and if you do raise the age thre will be just as many deaths beacuse people will still try 2 show off 2 there mates

daniel halson, coleford, uk

i think that raising the driving age to 18 is a very bad suggestion.
for one, at 18 it is legal to buy alcohol. if the driving age is also increased to 18 then it is likely that these two will mix.
secondly, the age in which driving lessons can be lowered to 16 but keep the age of 17 to hold a licence.
this will provide the years driving lesson and experience.
extra lessons for nighttime and motorway driving should be held and a second test should be taken before a new driver is allowed to drive on a motor way.
finally instead of raising the age limit cripiling the econemy, why not just limit the engine size which driver will be allowed?
as pointed out in the comment below. 12 months will not make much difference

Joe , Bristol, England

i think the age of driving should stay at 17 because 17 year olds are mature enough to be able to drive. i also think watever age the driving age will be there will still be as many acidents on the road. but i think if any action was to be taken into consideration with the driving age they should have a set number off lessons instead of having to be 18.

josh rayner-brown, ramsey, england

i think it sould stay as 17 to drive i think its all down to reckless drivin i think old people shouldnt be allowed to drive one hit the side of my mums new seat cupra not that long ago as she couldnt tell the differents between green and red lights . us young teens need a life and 2 do that we need 2 work or go college we need our licences if the law comes in its ganna make more accidents and more joy riders can u lot not see this coming.

Megan, teignmouth, devon

teenagers aren't always responsible for the accidents that happen on our roads. wreckless drivers can be any age so why should the blame be on teenagers? im 16 and i don't turn 17 til august so i would be really disappointed if they change the driving age to 18 as i have to take public transport to school which is a rip off.

if they are going to change the law they should give higher penaltys to people who are caught speeding or driving wrecklessly e.t.c. so that responsible young drivers don't get blamed for other peoples' recklessness.

i agree that the law should be changed so that every single driver no matter what age should be completely sober when they drive as this could save so many lives.

changing the driving limit to 18 is such a waste of time especially as there are so many other more important things for the government to worry about e.g terrorism. it doesn't matter about the age its all about peoples' attitude towards driving that is important.

Kimberley, London, UK

This law is stupid. I turned 17 at the end of this august and have been learning to drive since my birthday. I am a very careful driver. I agree there are some boy racers who race around trying to show off... but surley you can't take a privilage away from the rest of us just because of a few people. Have tougher sentances for those sorts of people- like having to take their test again.. they will soon think twice. I agree with what other people have said- the alchol limit for ALL drivers should be 0. Even if you raise the age to 18 there is still going to be accidents because that happens in new drivers!
I think 17 is a mature enough age (certainly in girls) to be able to take on such a responsibility as driving. I think the Law should stick where it is and just have stricter punishments on reckless driving.

Stacie, Hampshire,

pathetic, this will cause much more problems with people driving illegally

corey addiscott, aberdare, wales

its stupid, more people are going to illegally drive!!!

Josh, Bodmin,

There is no point as you will still be a novice because no one would be able to afford a year of driving lessons and if you can you probably already have a chauffeur...

Harri Smith, Barnet, Hertfordshire

its stupid to upper the age of driving cos if you can drive when you are 18 and start to legaly buy drink when you are 18 its obviouse that new drivers are going to mix the two together cousing more problems

josh, hackney, england

When your 18 you can legally get drunk and this would increase novice drivers drink driving!!! Also what will the costs be of this 12 month period learning? too much!!!

martyn david jarvis, melton mowbray, leicestershire

i think it is stupid to change the law because even if it does go through people that start to drive when they are 18 are going to be exactly the same as when they were 17, because you will still be a biginner you have to start somewhere and i think there is no point changing because all the agro it is going to cause. As you say it is most teenage men that are crashing so it is unfair on the women because of what the boys are doing, so why should girls have to be punished for what boys are doing. even if it does happen when you change it to 18 boys are still going to be the same even if you change it to say 24 the boys are going to be still the same because it is there first car and they want to show off because they are driving so i say it is a waste of time really.

swaylee, feltham, middlesex

If youre going to raise the age limit, cut the cost of public transport!!!

Dani, Dorset ,

I think raising the age to 18 is ridiculous. i live in the middle of know where and it cost a fortune to get public transport everywhere. I am 16 and will turn 17 in may. if they raise the age limit it will effect my education and my carer as it will be great difficultly getting around. Us as teenagers are told we need to be more responsible and respect others, but why should we when we don't get the respect we want. Not everyone drives like maniacs and its not nessecarily the young drivers that speed around like idiots, its the ones that have been driving for a couple of years who think they know everything there is to know about driving and bomb around at 100 mph. If this law comes in a will have very little respect for those who have changed it, i need to get on the road asap as i cant afford to use public transport everywhere. the law has been made this way for years and should carry on this way. Concentrate on the major things like terrorism instead of petty things like this!

Charlotte, cornwall, UK

why...? having my birthday in august has always been pretty bad...seeing as all my friends could do things before me, but by increasing the age limit to 18 means that i will have about a month to pass my test before i go to university...where i want to take my car so i can drive home at weekends, but i doubt i will pass in this amount of time, and so it wouldnt be fair, if they made the theory and the test harder, then the idiots who cause the accidents might not pass and so the roads would be safer

Alice, Essex,

I totally disagree with the age limit being raised to 18! Many of my friends are learning to drive now, and if the age is raised, it will cause major problems for those who choose not to continue in education and go straight into work. Public transport is an option but it expensive to a leaver of school, on minimum wage, not to mention slow and unreliable. Furthermore, the government says by giving us a year of training with a qualified person in the car, it will improve our driving, but they also fail to see that it will increase our dependency on others in the car, giving pointers and help. It is lack of experience behind the wheel that causes accidents, and when after a years 'training', we finally do qualify for a full licence, and venture out on our own, we'll panic, due to the simple fact there is no one else to ask for help. And after this training, the age band where most crashes occur will still be the 18-21 category, as they will still be the least experienced of road users.

alex b, Swinton, S. Yorks,

this is stupid what would be the point in that?? there will be hardly any difference of a year!!!! i will not do the job i wish to because i have no transport where i live it will mess up my career and what i have wished to be my hole live i have no other way of getting to colage please dont mess this up for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alix langton, lydney, england

This is an outrage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am 16, 17 in January. Learning to drive is something that i have been looking forward to for several years now.
Dont take this away from us. For many of us driving is the only way to independence . Where I live there are hardly any buses! They are crap and unreliable! Live is there to live, so please let us live it!!!!

fran, NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME, England

At 49 I've been driving 32 years. My son passed his test this year 4 months after his 17th birthday. He's already a far better driver than I. His attention & reflexes are far superior. Sure, lack of experience can catch him here and there, but It's all I can manage to look out of the rectangular window at the front. I can do as I please. If he has one accident/claim, or commits one offence, his insurance premium would effectively put him off the road. That of course wouldn't deter youths' who drive uninsured, unlicensed, or stolen cars. They can carry on their carnage because they have no fear of the consequences. Only the considerate and law abiding fearful of consequence will be affected. Same old story. Easier to pick off the low hanging fruit than try to do a proper job of it.

Jim Brown, Stowmarket, UK

this is ridiculous, fair enough the alcohol limit (though this should be for all drivers any age) teenagers may be newer but another year of age wont make a difference, in fact what they need is better testing and teaching and more help to learn e.g. making lessons cheaper if you use a reputable company to learn to drive, encouraging road safety and helping us rather than hindering.

No matter what age you are when you first learn to drive you are still new wether you are 17, 18 or even 50. you are still a danger as your a new driver

emma berg, edgware,

i agree with what other people have said so far and i also think it will increase the number of joy riders as they will be craving to drive for longer so will take and drive cars, unlicensed, without the concent of the law saying they can untill the age of 18!

Penny , Essex,

Why, if the government think that young people need more training before driving, isn't driving learnt during the latter years of compulsory education? Surely learning to drive safely is more important than say, algebra. Also a zero alcohol limit should be for all drivers. Think of the death and injury that would save. In case you're wondering, I am not a teenager - I'm 53 and sick of teenagers being forbidden to do things instead of educated in doing these things properly.

Mrs. Edith Jones, Plymouth, UK

it is a rediculous idea to raise the driving age to 18. many of my friends are already preparing for their tests now and to take away something that may of us have been loking forward to for years is stupid. yes, it is fair to prevent drivers fromdrink driving, but it is not always the young persons fault. not many young people are going to be idiotic enough to get into a car when theyre drunk. i do agree that we eed more practise, but to stop usfrom drving with our friends fter 11pm is stupid. the point of diving is independence, and that is the time of day when driving is mos necessary for young people. w have lives to live andwe need cars to live them.

steph , hudds,

What?!?!
That is the MOST ridiculous thing i have heard ever in my life ... EVER!!!!
How is raising the age to 18 going to miraculously reduce the number of boy racers .. fair enough i agree with the no tolerance alcohol levels in all drivers .. but just in younger drivers it is complete nonsense!
I'm 16 and will turn 17 in April .. but just because I'm not yet 18 it does not mean that i am going to drive with any less care (when i learn to drive/pass my test)
In my opinion this is just another way for society to discriminate against teens .. and I believe there will be a national outcry in people my age if this proposal goes ahead .. isn't that exactly what society doesn't want?!
Driving gives teenagers more independance as they leave school and go on to college/into full time employment so how are we supposed to acchieve this if they age is raised.. I think the government should stop messing around with these silly law changes and focus on bigger problems eg terrorism

Jasmine Louise, selby,

It's nothing to do we the age of the driver!
It's the mind of the driver behind the wheel, not all TEENAGERS are wreckless drivers! Can't just blame it on age groups!
Dont raise the age limit as it's not fair on ones, who do listen to road safety and road signs!
And stopping people transporting there friends will make it alot worse as more people will have to learn to drive!
Plus theres hardly any police about on the roads, so few people think they can get away with doing stupid stuff! Get more police on road and it will probaly cut down people speeding and doing insane things!

James, blackburn, lancashire

I think it is really stupid to move the driving age up if you can't learn to drive until you 18 you will be at uni and trying to get back and forth would be a nightmare. Also a year to pass the test is unfair. People can pass the test after 6 months as the test just teaches you how a car works you teach yourself how to drive after that period. A year of driving lessons would be very expensive and inpractial.

Emiy, Swindon,

it's good point but what I want to know is I pass my driving test on 07/08/07 and i'm 23 years old.
the quesion is could some one tell me can I drive lorry v.. or larg v...?
thanks....

abdulaziz , birmingham, uk

I personally think it's ridiculous to suggest that one year can make such a difference to somebody's maturity. If the age limit is to be raised, it should be based on school years, as i find it highly unfair that my friends can drive simply because they are born a few months before me, and i cannot.
There are some idiotic drivers out there of all ages, but yet again the blame is put onto youths.
I'm sure the people suggesting that the age is to be raised would soon have something to say about it if it were to affect them.

Jemma, Northamptonshire, England

I understand the concern about reducing the number of accidents, particularly deaths of young people being driven by newly qualified drivers but I am not convinced the answer is by putting the age limit up to 18 or indeed by making learners learn for at least a year before they can take their test. Perhaps the key is to somehow ensure that learner drivers have a combination of 'x' (maybe 1000) miles logged up along with 'x' number of hours (perhaps minumum 10) with a fully qualified driving instructor before they can take their test. This would not necessarily take a year to achieve so competent and fast learners would be penalised if the ruling were simply to learn for a minimum of 1 year! There is also a financial implication to be considered for people falling within the low income bracket depending on how any limitation might be imposed. Personally I am in favour of keeping the age limit at 17 and if change has to come let it be reflected in the driving test process/conditions!

Lesley, Barnsley, UK

Well I think it is a very good idea actually! In fact the age group of young drivers is the only one that runs more risk than their age mates in Greece; a very dangerous country to drive at...

Simos Keramidas, Southampton,

Of course, most people who will disagree with this will all be ignored because we're nearly all going to be around 16/17. I'm 16 - 17 next April, and I'm really not happy to hear about this. I want to learn to drive BEFORE I start Uni, because it really would help me, and others will agree, feel more independent and make life considerably easier when travelling to, from and around Uni when we reach that age. We have waited such a long time to get to the age and it's NOW you have to change it. You should have done it earlier to prevent such problems in the first place.

And we're not allowed to give lifts to our friends? Then that will most likely mean there will be more teenagers driving around than if we were allowed to share - which means MORE reckless drivers on the road at one time. Now is that really a good idea?

Claire, Bournemouth,

it is not the age of the driver

it is the attitude towards driving

crystal, lewes, england

I feel that this is a very stupid decision. As a 16year old i have waited far too long to be within a few months of the legal driving age for it to be raised just before i reach it. Being able to drive at 17 would make my life a lot easier by being more independant to get myself to and from school and work etc. I hate having to rely on parents as they arent always free to take me where i need to be on time. Driving gives people my age a sense of independance and freedom for once. Please dont raise the driving age!! I think a compromise would be to have a probation period after passing the test so that any reckless drivers would have to resit there test and the raise in the amount of questions of theory is also fair enough, but taking up the age would really have a negative outcome.

Gabriel Dually, Edinburgh,

i think that it is bretty pointless, but if they are goin to raise it then they should do it by the school year and not the age limit.

Gareth McFarland, Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland

I totally disagree with this new law. I'm 16, 17 soon, and like me are around half a million other people. Some 17 year olds may not decide to go to school, and thus start working. Not having a car would greatly demolish their chances of getting a decent job. Instead of raising the age, what would be a reasonable idea is to stop young drivers from driving unless they have had a certain amount of driving tests. This would be more likely to work. I can guarantee that by raising the driving age, it is going to cause more chaos, because I know that about 8 of my friends are going to start driving illegally.
Take this into consideration. Thanks

Eros, Dagenham, London, UK

the age limit for driving should be increased at the same time of school leaving age, because what are the all the students that have left school going to do for transport? take unreliable public transport for two years or so, that doesn't even take them close enough to work.
Not everyone is a reckless driver and the sooner someone starts driving the more experiance they get, at least giving teens more time to practice and get their full lisence might help.
They better not change the driving age because I'm not 17 till may and I'll need a car because even my college which I'm starting is too far, and public transport scares me alot, once there was a crazy bus driver who missed a stop kept driving at a ridiculous fast speed and then stopped at the end of the road with a man chasing the damn bus, also the cost of the bus has increased to before i would only pay a fraction of the price but now the busses have cotton onto the rip off britain scheme.

Lainey, Crowthorne, Berkshire, UK

I dont think this is a good idea at all
I'm 16 and live in the middle of knowhere, I start college next week and it will cost me £3.25 for a single bus fair, thats over £30 a week and i dont earn enough form my weekend job to pay for that, so having a car is going to be so much more convenient, I wouldn't mind that much if the public transport was half decent, I think that my friend a I am going to end up getting the taxi back everyday, if we split the price then it actualy works out the same as the bus fair
I think the law should be that for say the first few years of driving your just limited to the engine size of the car, that would shut up the media! because rely it is just the media hype. Its asif the goverment don't realize that you can make statistics read what you want them to. fingers crossed that the law doesn't change before my birthday in march :s
.

george, chester/ wrexham, cheshire

Its a very stupid idea. Not all young people go out and joy ride its just the idiotice ones. By doin this you are takin the opportunity away from 17 year olds who have been looking forward 2 driving. I'll be 17 in February and i was looking forward 2 it. Personally i think it is wrong. You have anything 2 say please let me know.

Kerry Cruickshanks, Ayr, Scotland

I think that rasing the driving age is a stupid idea! work places can't employ untill your 16 and a young person getting a job is quite difficult, and this would mean further waiting in getting a job, if these people needed their own car, and couldnt rely on someone else! now i think many more things could be done instead of raising the age to prevent these accidents! raising the driving age i don't think will change the accident rates because young people will still be unexperienced, and if they had been learning for 12 months it just means giving a longer gap between each driving lesson, and they will still know as much as they would as if they had only done them in 6 months. the accidents occur also because of the young drivers showing off in front of their friends, causing the crashes.

Lewis Baird, Richmond, UK

This will cause the police nothing but grief as there will be dramatically increased amounts of teenage drivers who feel cheated due to the change in driving law and will therefore drive under age.

J, London, Lewisham

so what happens when the death toll in 18 year old drivers increases, do you raise the driving age again? It just seems like a never ending cycle to me.

tom, london, england

the age should remain 17 waht is the point of raising it 1 year aheah it does not make any idfference i've already started takin lessons i've taken 24 and now i find out the age is being raised, i had money saved up for a car and everything what is the point, it gets on my nerves when people jus start changing the law out of nowhere!

qudsia, stratford, england

i think changing the driving age is stupid because when i was a teen i couldnt wait till i got my lincense and know my kid can't get his lincense till he is 18 im going to be driving his ass everywhere he is going to be asking me for money because he cant get a job. Give more driving hours and make the driving tests harder and what makes you think 17 year old are more mature because they deffiently arent soo just make the driving test more difficult instead please don't change the driving age

kevin, natick, massachussets

i think it is a poof idea raising the driveing age will not stop people diein in car crashes its not there age its how they drive eg speeding i think the ge should be left the same. i am 17 in in april and i will need my car for gettin to work this is a very poof idea ..

daniel, caithness, scotland

If the age was to be raised to 18 for driving this year it would be a massive dissappointment. I am 16 and about to start sixth form. I can't wait to be able to drive as it means i can independently make my way to and from school and work without having to pay huge bus fares. I live in the middle of knowhere and it is almost impossible to get anywhere without a car. If the law should be changed it should start from next year and let hopefuls wishing to drive who are nearly 17 now prove to the government that it's not every teenager with a car that causes the accidents. Adults are just as bad and ederly are terrible!!!

coral, Kent, UK

raising the age to 18 is a very poor idea. it does not the problem, because frivers will not gain anymore experience. May I add that the problem is not about the age of a driver, but the attitude towards driving.
Many teenagers expecting to take their driving test as soon as they turn 17 is a good idea. If anything it means that the learner gains a level in maturity and responsibility. Also the fact that the legal age for drinkin is 18, so this would surly increase accidents related to alcahol.

I think the sloution lies with the individual. I think banning should be harsher, and perhaps better driving instructors could be used who could prove to learners that dangerous driving is bad. Why punish the majority of responsible teenagers, when it is a small minority who are to be blammed. Im 16 turning 17 in early July. the driving age SHOULD REMAIN 17!

Nick, 16, beckenham, united kingdom

exuse me with 18 year olds and higher surely it is worse because there are more of them who drink drive because 17s cant drink legally there are less of them than the 18 year olds who go to the pub and have a nice couple of beers or more then drive home!

plus i want to be a social worker and to go to college and go to placement i need to have a car to get around so why do they have to bring the age up it is a waste

sarah, england,

im 16 year old girl 17 in may if i dont get to do my lessons and test when im 17 i have to go into a dead end job till im 18 these other teenagers that get in accident might not be their fault it could be someone else out in the road the teenagers are the ones that allways get punshed for doing things they never do driving can help us from causing trouble on public transport rasing the age aint going to stop any under 21 accidents its going to carry on so theres really no point in doing it

sammie, london, south east

us 17 year olds need to drive to get a job i want to do plumbing but most the jobs you have to have a car if this rasies to 18 then im not going to be able to do what i want for a living they should leave the age at 17

sammie, london, south east

I think that the steriotype that all seventeen year olds cause accidents should be banished! If there is an car crash with a 17 year old and a 30 year old the 17 yearold would automatically get the bad end of the stick. Young drivers should not get punished for other young peoples driving!!

Daniel OSullivan, Neath, Wales

I think everything should be as it was before. All that needs to be done is one driving tes in the summer where you can obtain your licence, then another test in the winter to make sure you are able to dirve in the night and snow/ice.

Malkit Singh, Bradford, England

One possible answer would be to restrict the engine size that a young driver can drive ie 1200, until they have gained a years driving experience and then increase the engine size to say 1400 and so on. This would stop inexperienced drivers behind the wheel of a powerful car. If you stte that they have to drive for a whole year before taking a test all that will happen is driving instructors will become rich! Unless the Govenment restricts they amount they ar able to charge, perhaps in line with their level of qualification/pass rate as your instructor my have only scraped a pass to enable them to teach your child to drive.

Liz, Folkestone, England

i find this shocking that other 17 year olds are being punished for other peoples mistakes and stupidity, as iam going to be 17 two months before the age is being raised which is unfair that i have to wait another year!!!!!!
no matter what age you put the driving age up to, there are still going to be other people being stupid and accidents will still occur.

danielle, Edinburgh, Scotland

I am 17 in just under 6 months and driving is something i have been dieing to do since i was a youngster !! now these rumers and plans which are supposed to be introduced may delay my plans to drive within a few months after my 17th birthday by another year which is very frustrating to put nicely ! i think these plans are so unnecessary as i dont understand why all youngster should have to be effected by this new age limit due to some young drivers own stupidity or through fault of a pure accident! i hope to hear thats the plans will be scrapped and the driving age will stand at 17!!!

Mark , dunfermline , scotland

I passed my test at 17 just 3 months after my birthday after 10 instructor hours. I drove regularly and did not have a single accident until I was 20 when I had a minor bump at low speed (fault was 50/50).

The advantage of learning at 17 was that I was at home and my parents were able to take me out for regular practices under supervison. It meant I could afford much more practice than if I'd had to pay a driving instructor for every hour of experience. If I'd had to wait til 18 I would have been away at college and would have still attempted to pass my test in the shortest possible time but this would have meant very little paractice as I'd only be able to afford a limited number of instructor hours and would not have parents to take me out under supervison. If I had to wait a year then it would be one lesson a month! I wouldn't have bought more lessons!

Making 18 the driving age is a misguided approach to the problem, penalising the majority for the sins of a few.

Gail, Berkshire,

I Really understand where the government is coming from, im 17 and hold a full UK driving liscence and drive a 1.6, it seems to me when im at traffic lights cars are always trying to edge forward into a race and i think its a bad idea as i myself might not drive like this but other young drivers on the roads are going to cause crashes involving other people, it doesnt matter how old or young you are, or how good a driver you are, or how difficult the tests are its your attitude towards the road and other users! If you think you can drive like an F1 driver you will have a crash!

As for taking us of motorways or a drinking ban i think that is a bit farfetched! You wait 18 years for a drink and if this proposal is correct you wont be driving till 18 and drinking till 19 rediculous! Motorways arent a problem to drive on theyre just better with a better surface and a hard shoulder more safer aswell...3 times more likely to crash on a country road not a motorway! Driving is about freedom!

Greg, Lochgelly,

it makes no sense to put an alcohol ban on young drivers. generally speaking "under 25's" have better reactions than over "25s" . surely it would make more sense to lower the alcohol limit for all drivers as a whole, espicially when it is the case that older drivers reactions suffer more under the influence of alcohol.

how many people can afford a years worth of driving lessons as well?-as if driving isnt expensive enough as it is!

it also seems unfair that a person coming from abroad can use their license from their home country and get in a car and start driving on totally unknown roads without any sort of test whilst we have to do a years training and a test before we're allowed out on the roads.

the whole system undoubtably needs a re think. lets hope they use a little common sense and get older drivers off the road who often lack control of their vehicle, have slow reactions and lack in spacial awarness-a combination for disaster!

AARON, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA,

I am a 16 year old girl turning 17 in april,i have been stuck in the same village my whole life and look forwawrd to being able to drive myself to college and to a part time job. Just because others have been stupid and caused accidents doesnt mean we all have to suffer due to their mistakes. I honestly hope the limit stays at 17 as i am looking forward to being more independant and not having to bug my parents for lifts or waiting for unrelieable buses.

Natalie, Bar Hill, UK

So well thought through! Due to concern of the high accident rate among under 25's who are inexperienced, aggressive, drive too fast - we take them off the motorways! And put them on to the single carriageway A and B roads, largely unlit and with insufficient space to have atwo cars side by side, to get between towns. That'll work! No boy (or girl - yes they are just as bad) racer will think he's a rally driver there will they?!?!

How about including motorways in the training? They are not hard to drive on, it's just like a dual carriageway with an extra lane or two, but people get scared of them until they are accustomed to them.

Maybe have instructors making the referral for the practical test - if they feel a driver is too immature to be let loose, don't refer that person for the test. Instructors are best placed to judge the capability and temperament of their students.

Perhaps a mandatory medical for the over 65s. That would take away the frankly dangerous elderly drivers

Chris, Cheltenham,

A far better solution would be the revamping of the driving test to include a far wider spectrum of road types and differing conditions.
Another idea that would make perfect sense would be an on-going assessment of young drivers every quarter of their first year behind the wheel. If they do not meet certain criteria in these assessments then they have to resit their driving test. Not only would this approach encourage responsible driving, it would also provide the driver with valuable feedback.
Whilst inexperienced young drivers can be a danger to others and themselves, older drivers (over 65s should be re-examined) and all other drivers are too. Can you honestly say that you do not have any bad driving habits that affect your ability to react quickly an safely?

Adrian, Exmouth,

am 17 in in 2 weeks i think this new law is not good for young people like me who have waited so long to drive and who havent been given a chance, i aslo think that when you 17 driving will help you get from point a to b on your own so why wuould people want to take that away from independant teenagers like me

Keegan Gwendu, basildon, England

i am a 16, soon to be 17 year old girl. Alot of my friends are shocked at the news of the age ban. It is fair enough that alot of deaths are caused by younger drivers, however, it usually comes from drink driving. When at 18, people are aloud to drink legally and from peer pressure wont be able to resist a drink with their friends. How old you are doesnt determine how mature and smart you are. I know of some 11 year olds who are more mature than alot of 16 year olds that i know. I beg of you not to place this "false sterotype" on all young people and punish them for others mistakes!! When someone passes their test, their assessor should also be decisive of how careful minded they are and quick witted, not simply how well they handle the vehicle which i am told most do. Money is also an issue as at 18, students are beginning to think of further education which funnily enough requires alot of money these days, they dont have the money to be driving then.

Alex , Leeds, England

I am a 19 year old who has recently started learning to drive, its all good telling us to do our lessons for 12 months, but what about the price of that? it will become far too expensive for us and some of us desperately need to learn to drive with our lifestyles,
in addition no one has thought about the amount of young drivers who will resort to driving illegaly, the price is out if there range, which will surely see an increase in young drivers without licences aswell as theft of cars,
I of course dont promote this but I am pretty certain this is what is going to happen,
like i said I am 19 years old, but with things going as they are by the time im 40 prices of houses will be unaffordable, we will not be able to learn to drive, and we will see a greater amount of debt in this country,
spend money on improving disciplinarys, and improve the test to a more difficult level.

Sean Elliott, Oldham, UK

When I told my 15-year old son of the proposed changes, he immediately said that he would buy a motorbike when he's 17, if not 16. Have the increase in fatalities and injuries from more young motor cyclists been factored into the Government's calculations?

Caz Bolton, Sutton, Surrey, UK

I understand that many road accidents are caused by young drivers but raising the age will not make a difference. It would in fact be worse as you would be at 18, allowing people to drink and drive at the same time;i am not suggesting drink driving but increased peer pressure to go out and be the one left not drinking, and then faced with driving a car full of drunken peers, distacting the driver. This is lessoned by driving at 17 as drivers have time to gain experience.
A 6 or 12 month learning period is rediculous also, with a one hour driving lesson costing aroud £20 i would like to know who would be financing this, of course applying to all those larning to drive, not just teenagers. Again a motorway ban is completely stupid as statistically motorways are much safer than country roads, this would acheive nothing but restrict where you can go. I suggest frequent retesting periodcally for free eg 3,6 and 12 months after passing to encourage better drivers and re-testing the old!

Katherine Lawson, Bury St Edmunds, England

Teaching young people to drive on motorways would be useful - my istructor (in Holland) took me onto the motorway in my third lesson, admittedy just a few km between two junctions that time, but in later lessons it quickly became a regular fixture.

Robert, Ipswich,

Drop the age for driving to 16 but restrict driving to daylight hours only for 12/18 months after passing the test FOR ANY DRIVER OF ANY AGE.
Experience matters most What about a compulsory Green Plate?

M Sheridan, Oldham, UK

I am currently 17 years old and recently passed my driving test. I totally agree with the policy for zero alcohol but driving age up to 18. Come on... Yet again it is a small minority who are inconsiderate road users spoiling it for the vast majority that are not what has become the stereotypical image.

Matt, Lincoln,

if you want more kids to joy ride do it. we ready have a big problem of joy riding

haroon, nelson,

So is it definitely rising to 18 this year?
Will it also affect the law on motorbike licences?
I am 16 this november and am hoping to take motorbike lessons and pass my test !
Does this mean i will have to have a provisional licence for a whole year?

Rich, Beaminster, UK

I think raising the age limit is a good idea as hopefully learning to drive at 18 a young person would appreciate the dangers of the road more not just for those in the vehicle but other road and pavement users as well. I also agree totally with the zero alcohol limit for young drivers. There could also be an engine capacity limit on young inexperienced drivers like currently with motorcycles, say a 950cc or 1.3 cc so they can learn to cope with everyday driving without having too much power under their right foot. Distractions and peer pressure from others can cause youngsers to show of behind the wheel and we all know this can be fatal. We have too many young lives wasted on our roads by dangerous driving, so ways of cutting down deaths must be looked upon as a change for the better. I fully understand that young people like the independence that driving can bring, but ,they must also appreciate the responsibilities that tthis brings.

LT, London, UK

turning 17 in a month i am really looking forward to learning to drive. i can't argue with the under 25 statistics but would love to know the figures for 17 year olds. i have been a passenger in recently passed drivers vehicles and believe them to be safer drivers having just passed and remembering all rules of the road. to increase the driving age because of a minority will, im sure, lead to an increase in stolen cars and joyriding by those missing out on their chance of independance through driving

Dan, Gloucester, England

I'm 56, I first drove (my dad's lorry, highly illegally) when I was 14. I passed first time nearly 40 years ago. I knew how to handle a car on ice - on crossply tyres which were useless - rain & fog slowed me down (my first car of my own had vacuum wipers that slowed down as you went faster). The old drum brakes were diabolical. In short, back then cars that were available to ordinary teenagers were accidents waiting to happen & you had to learn how to handle them. Today, the car does everything for you, until you hit the extreme, like pushing into a bend too fast. If you don't know to expect it, you're dead. It's not the age of the driver, most 17 year olds have the reactions and ability to handle a car better than I can now, but they aren't taught to respect the car as a potential killer.
I'd start teaching them when they are 15, taking the test at 17 having had a lot more experience.

kenw, Hemel Hempstead,

Putting the driving age up is ridiculous, having the age at 18 will mean that we will be learning to drink and drive at the same time, learning to drive first will increase our awareness of how sensible you need to be. What the government needs to do is to put the drinking age up, and to prevent any modifications on any cars for people below a certain age, and only allow a small engine size for the first year of driving, this would stop boy racers and therefore decrease the number of teenage driving deaths.

K Buxton, Shrewsbury,

Yet another set of proposals that largely misses the point (backed by insurers whose only interest is their bottom line). If young drivers are prohibited from driving then they cannot feasibly gain enough experience (an issue that insurance companies need to address in their pricing). Forcing young drivers into smaller, older cars (as insurance premiums often to) is equally short-sighted since these vehicles still tend to be capable of fatal speeds and lack the basic safety structures/features that could potentially save the lives of the driver and passengers.

The answer is reasonably simple: make the driving test more difficult (or ensure that it covers a wider range of disciplines) and have tougher penalties for all drivers.

Rodden Shaw, London, London

Im 17 In November This Year, Does That Mean These New Rules Will Apply To Me ? I Dont Think Its Fair They Sould At Least Give A Bit More Notice? Everyone Else Was Able To Start At 17 So Its A Bit Unfair On Us

Georgie, Bristol,

I think that there should be severer consiquences for death by dangerouse driving charges etc...instead of lowering the age limit. I passed my test with less than 6 months practice and have sucessfully driven at night, in london and on the motorway for the past 8 months. I think this would be penalising the majority for the minorities mistakes and it is simply rediculas to entertain the idea that students will be able to fund driving lessons whilst at university!

D Walkey, Bournemouth,

I admit to passing my test at 17 1/2 years, but in addition to lessons I had the substantial benefit of driving under my father's supervision for at least 5 days each week, and in a variety of conditions. At that time the cars did not have the power.....or safety characteristics, of those today. But could not the, say, under 23s be limited in the engine size for which they are licensed, as certainly used to be the case with motorcycles
There is little satisfaction from "flooring the pedal" when the acceleration is around 30 seconds to reach 60 mph or so, yet even the supercars of around just 25 years ago are grossly outperformed by such as a 2 litre diesel today.
Whilst a very experienced driver, I am not a dinosaur. However, I do recall that there used to be few female drivers when I first passed my test. So perhaps the traffic volumes could also be addressed by denying a licence to ladies..... except to drive us men home from the pub/club at night of course.

Keith R. Jones, Nottingham, England

If this proposal comes into effect, will 17 year olds who have already passed keep their licenses?

Andrew, Bath,

I think it's all very well you all saying this is fine and dandy when you all have your licenses and have done since you were sixteen, but you would not be commenting so smugly if you had to wait another year for your own independant life to start!

Iain, Manchester,

i feel that at 17 most young drivers will be living at home and therefore will be learning to drive on roads that they know, in an area they know and with parental control. This will give them 12 months driving experience at home, before they go off to university. If the age is raised they will pass at 18 and will straight on the motorways driving from home to uni with no road experience at all. I do not think the age should be increased. Better would be to make sure they have a set number of hours with a driving instructor, maybe make the P plate compulsory and pass plus compulsory, we should be doing things to improve their driving skills, but not increase the age, i do not feel this will make any difference at all. We wil probably end up with more young drivers on the road with no licence as well as no insurance etc. The most accidents will always be in the young age group, as the elderly dont drive far and go slowly, mums do school run etc that statistic will not change.

J. Farley, Truro, Cornwall

Young drivers are already on "probation" for two years after passing their driving test. 6 points ( eg 2 speeding offences) on their license means that they are back to learner status and must retake both theory and practical test.

As a recently retired driving instructor with 19 years experience, I can tell in most cases who is most likely to have an accident by their attitude to all other road users. It is the attitude of some that clearly makes them an accident waiting to happen. The difference between 17 and 18 years of age is hardly a factor.

Attitude IS a factor and some young male drivers are the ones most likely to have one. From other comments here, it's not hard to pick some of them out! Especially from their comments about older drivers. Those comments reflect their attitude to everything else in this life.

Ken, Bedford, UK

Most of the problems are about attitude,this begins at home and is already instilled by the time they learn to drive. My rights are the big thing of the day,but little about responsibility. People are taught to a much higher standard these days,so it isn't about ability.


Most experienced drivers would not pass a driving test at todays standards. When was the last time you picked up the highway code?I would suggest probably just before your test and never since. Most of us are culpable in the decline of courtesy and general driving standards. We live in a pressure cooker environment where everything must be done yesterday,this in itself perpetuates aggresive driving.

We all learn by example,learners watch how other drivers drive and believe it is acceptable,therefore they do the same.

I believe compulsary retesting of all licence holders would go a long way towards getting everyone to drive safely and with more courtesy.

James, London, Driving instructor

The age which is limited is not the only thing to changed.Does the matural people would never make mistake and will always take control of their activities forever?What I want to say is that the department can not only chang the rule but do something which is more in reality to help improve the temporary circumstance.

sarah, newcastle, durham

Matt S from Chorley. Unfortunately it is the combination of drinking, driving and sometimes smoking (of illegal substances) matched with a belief in their own invincibility that see's so many 17 year olds kill not only themselves, but other innocent parties. Having lost family to this combination of factors, I care very little for arguments based on the logic of hyprocracy.

Guy, London,

Ok I must confess... I am one of the numbers, I did have an accident when I was 19, 2 years after starting driving and 1 and a half years after passing my test. At this point I couldn't afford my own car whilst at uni so I was using my parents small car for the summer (a Ford KA).
Well... because of this I think the comments on restricting to a smaller car are not the greatest idea. I was driving along a straight rural road at 60 on a sunny afternoon, not realising that although the road looked dry on the surface it was still greasy from a downpour in the morning, as I came to the top of a crest I noticed 6 phesants no doubt enjoying a little natter in the middle of the road and fearing the idea of several large birds destroying my parents car I stamped on the brake causing the unstable little car to spin and end up in a ditch written off. When I bought my own car I went for an Alfa 156, much more stable to drive and when some old fool decided to hit me I didn't feel a thing.

Mike P, Peterborough, UK

Why cant you limit the engine size untill they are at least 25, do things like australia and limit there passengers as well. and stop these boyracers changing engines and putting bigger ones in and classing them as the same ie like a nova or corsa 1.2 but putting bigger engines in. If the government didnt let these boyracers get away with it a few years ago there would be less now " like all the modifications to all these cars"
they should have put a limit to this.

Paul Church, spalding linc,s, uk

The single most important cause of young drivers crashing and dying on the roads is the fault of their parents who are too selfish to buy their 'loved ones' good quality driving lessons.
They are only repared to buy the cheapest and poorest quality, so often for a few ££ per lessons, so they get what they pay for, and in the longer term that results in carnage on the road. Then the parents attend the inquests crying their eyes out in mourning their loss. Too late then, of course.
Had they taken a more responsible attitude in the beginning and bought the best training available, their kids would not be lying in their graves. With the best independant instructors charging upwards of £25 per hour, it is self evident that those charging £15 to £20 a lesson are selling a poor quality service.
This leads to the learners only covering the bare minimum in order to pass the driving test, which is not difficult, but is a long, long, way short of the standard to be a safe driver for life.

Hank, Midlands, UK

Steve, Roger - are you joking? The test had got periodically harder for years - subsequently it takes longer to pass and is much more expensive, and so the percentage of 17 and 18 year olds who drive is now much smaller. When my father took his motorbike test aged 16 in 1963, he fell off, and was still passed by the examiner because they shared a surname.

And to all those in favour of a ban- everyone, it seems- I suppose none of you had a driving licence when you were 17 or 18? No? Why shouldn't young people be allowed to drive? We all were. Yes if you took all the under 25s off the road you'd get rid of the small percentage of aggressive males who cause alot of road accidents, but by the same logic, if you banned alcohol in the UK, you'd get rid of huge social problems, decrease deaths from dangerous driving, from alcoholism, etc etc. But that would mean most people, not just a few (the tyranny of the majority) giving up a small pleasure, so that isn't going to happen.

Rachel, Edinburgh,

why dont they introduce a restricted driver system like in Northern Ireland. (have been through it myself) Once you pass your test you have to put 'R' plates on your car and are only allowed to drive under 45mph for a year. If you are caught speeding i.e. over your 45mph limit (even on motorways) you get points like anyone else and have an extra year with 'R' plates and 45mph. The other insurance based restrictions like using GPS based trackers may also help

Adrian, Edinburgh, UK

The test does include checking tyres, lights, oil levels etc. So that is not the problem. In my opinion and I have been an ADI for seven years the biggest problem is one of attitude. Young males seem to think that once they pass the test then they are untouchable, "it wont happen to me", this is the biggest problem facing ADIs, how to change the attitude of young males. A 12 month learning period will not help, how is 12 months of 1 hour lessons better or safer than 6 months of 2 hour lessons. What you need is a graduated licensing system. Say up to 50 hours professional tuition with all areas signed off by an ADI, including driving at night. Then you must have some form of motorway tuition before you graduate to your full licence.

paul clarke, chesterfield, derbyshire

The prime reason for higher accident rates is not I believe a function of young age but of lack of experience in handling vehicles i.e. motor bikes and cars.
Increasing the age for holding a driving licence is a simplistic solution that will not be effective.
Training, compulsory before awarding a licence such as an extended Pass Plus programme, is a better solution.

This coupled with the limitation on power and speed of the vehicle allowed until a period of experience of driving after passing the test will dramatically reduce accident rates for new drivers.

Zero level blood alcohol is an obvious addition but not just for inexperienced drivers.

Rob Gillingwater, Chester, UK

all of these people that are pro raising the age.
Have you forgotten what its like to be young? Being young is not a crime. But i think ignorance, like your displaying should be. A bad driver is a bad driver however old they are. If a 40 year crashes and was dricing to fast should he retake his test? you seem to have overlooked this little factor. Or as you get older does the law not apply?

Caleb, southend on sea, UK

I think that there needs to be a deterrant for the new motorist and would suggest keeping the age at 17 but if the newly qualified driver gets convicted of ANY motoring offence or is found to be at blame for any accident then they should be instantly banned for a year and made to redo their test all over again.The kids just want to pass as quickly and as cheaply as possible and its not enough experiance for them.I suggest a minimum of 35 hours with a qualified instructor befor taking the test and making them do 4 hours in the dark and 4 on the motorway.

Rosemary Thewe, Nottingham,

s shoul be reassessed every ten years.Driving licence is an earned qualification not a right ! I intend to take an advanced driving course and test and a BikeSafe course because I ride a M/cycle too. Malcolm Sawston Cambridge.As a 68 year old with over 50 years of driving experience I am convinced that the whole approach to driving needs to change. With a far from perfect driving record I recently had the opportunity to undertake a speed awareness course via the Met police. It was without doubt the most useful and illuminating experience I have ever had related to driving and current road conditions. As a result I now know why speed limits are important ,especially 30mph and I adhere to them.This scheme should be mandatory for all new drivers. All driver

Malcolm, Sawston Cambridge, uk

I recently passed my test at the grand old age of 43, and have also taken the supplementary Pass Plus course. I would still support the 12-month training period though, even for myself, because, as I'm now finding, good driving skills and road sense are so obviously the product of experience.

The difficulty, as reported by my instructor, is that young male drivers are often technically proficient, with better response times than most older drivers (hence their higher than average first-time pass rates), but then become over-confident.

Mark, Bath,

I work in a school and the main topic of conversation for most 16 and 17 year olds is learning to drive. They save for months and can't wait to have some freedom and their own transport to get them to college. As the mother of a 16 year old boy, my biggest fear is that he and many, many youngsters will be forced onto our roads on motorbikes where they will have had no tuition at all. The idea is ludicrous and extremely dangerous.

Dawn, kettering,

Make it as difficult to get a driving license as it is for a pilot to get a pilot's license. Then make it very easy to loose.

Change the attitude, by both the young and the old, from driving is a 'right of passage' to driving is a 'closely guarded privilege'.

The legislation mentioned in the story is a good first small step.

DanO, Mount Vernon, USA

Age aside, it's an insane situation when you can pass your test having never driven - and actually being prevented from driving - on our fastest roads, Motorways!

There sould definately be a restriction on the power of vehicle a person can drive after recently passing their test and there is even a case to say that no one should drive very powerful cars without having undertaken specialist training. A pilot, after all, cannot get a license for a single engined Cessna and immediately jump into the control seat of a 747 with no further training. Similarly, NO ONE should be driving a vehicle which is clearly beyond their individual skill level; women who cannot park their Range Rovers being a case in point!

JonathanL, Newcastle, UK

Of course one in two drivers killed at night will be under twenty five - how many seventy year olds go out on the town?! Those young people who drive dangerously at the age of seventeen will still be driving dangerously at the age of eighteen. Why penalise the whole population of young people who would drive carefully for those individuals who drive irresponsibly?Those individuals will not suddenly become responsible, mature drivers overnight on their eighteenth birthday.

The idea that young drivers are passing their test without being fully capable suggrests a problem with the testing system rather than the driver. That learning over the summer casues a driver to be inexperienced applies to any age of driver, not merely seventeen year olds. It has in fact been proven that the younger you are, the more quickly and effectively you learn.

As a 17 year old who hsas just recieved my provisional license I feel insulted and patronised by this proposal.

Allie, Halifax, UK

Raising the legal driving age will likely increase the danger as new drivers will have less time and less supervision by their parents and will likely learn "on their own" or with the assistance of peers that are not as likely to instill the same sense of responsibility as parents would. Many 18 year olds are already entering college or moving away from home; how are they supposed to learn responsible driving?

I would suggest that a better solution would be that they can drive at 14 but must have a licensed driver over the age of 25 in the vehicle with them until they are over 18.

Keith, Atlanta, GA, US

im 16 an will be 17 next February. most teen look forward to to being able 2 drive such as myself. wen u turn 16 u think only 1 more year left till u can drive and it fills u with joy. it gives 17 year olds a chance of freedom to start living their lives on their own. owning a car can give a 17 year old a head start on learning to manage their money as they have 2 keep paying for all aspects of their car such as insurance and petrol. i bet they didnt think of crime levels when they thought of changing the driving age. think of the increase in joy riding, as they will want 2 be driving surely this would cause more deaths on the roads and take more police time of which they have got. i could agree on having a years worth of lessons and the zero alcohol limit but i draw a line at changing the age.
surly whatever age u start driving will still mean ur a novice driver right. someone who starts driving at the age of 30 could still be as novice as 17 year olds what would they do then.

louis cross, Kettering, uk

I totally agree with the new idea. I would consider myself quite a sane person, yet I did some silly things in a car at 17.

The best idea I think, however is the complete and total ban of alcohol for new drivers. Young people have no idea what their "limit" is, and the fact is I know too many "sensible", well educated people who I believe at times are far too over the limit to drive.

However, I equally say that people stating people shouldn't drive until their mid/late 20's are totally stupid and have no idea of what they are saying. (Ian from Bristol for example).

How is the economy supposed to work if an 18 year old or 21 year graduate cannot get to work?

Think about what you say before you blurt daft suggestions out!

Nick, Reading, Berkshire, UK

I agree that changes need to be made but to be honest I don't think a year will make much difference to the way people drive/behave once they have passed their test; I know a 21 year old who is just as careless as any 17 year old. As for making people learn for a year, who is going to foot the bill,with lessons currently at £20+ per hour it will cost a small fortune!

Sam, Leeds,

My daughter, is learning to drive, but in France. before she was allowed to drive with me, she had to undergo 22 hours of instruction and pass the theory test. She will have had another 3000Km plus driving with me has a supervisor and NOT as an instructor. She will take her final test at 18, and will still face restrictions, untill she has held her full licence for a year.
If the French can do it then so can the UK.

KEITH CHARLESWORTH, COULOUME-MONDEBAT, FRANCE

I am 17, and have just started learning to drive, and cant wait till i pass my test, with it beings more responsibilities and freedom to go where i want, without having to rely on parents & public transport. Learning to drive is part of growing up. If the driving age then there will probably be alot more people driving illegally, as they would have been able to learn legally if the age hadnt been raised.
i think its a stupid idea to change the driving age, this wont change anything, it will just make alot of people angry and they will act the same when they finally pass, as they would at the age of 17.
The government should just leave the laws alone as they have been working fine since they were introduced. If anything make the oldies retake their tests, alot has changed (like more traffic on the roads) since they passed there test

David M, Whittlesey,

The other worry, and I agree completely with Simon of London, is that if there are too many restrictions and if many young drivers lose their licences in the first year, that many will continue to drive anyway, licence or no licence. The figures for uninsured and banned drivers are already too high. The answer has to be much more vigourous and proactice policing of the roads.

Bill Duffay, London,

While i do understand that young/inexperienced men are the most likely (statistically) to crash, its not age that is the main problem. I would agree that engine power should be limited, but also, one of the biggest problems, its that extortionate insurance premiums are stopping young people from buying newer/safer cars with modern safety equipment. Old cars can still go fast, but are more likely to cause death or serious injury than modern ones. Id like to say, im 22, and i need my car, without it, i would not be able to get to work. if the age is raised, something needs to be done about public transport in rural areas. In terms of the alcohol limit, while i do not condone drink driving, an 18 year old who has had one drink probably still has faster reactions than a completely sober 80 year old. If there is a minimum age, surely there should be a maximum too.

adam, lancaster,

I think the plans proposed by the government are a start, showing that they are taking measures but I strongly think the government should consider the American approach to driving. This will allow teenagers from the age of 14 to be educated through their teenage years with restrictions such as no driving from 10PM to 6AM and requiring an accompanying parent or guardian. They will learn how to drive sensibly until they pass their driving test at 16 or 17. With a variation of this system in Britain accidents rates can be effectively reduce in the 16-25 age group. So a situation where a 17 year old has only 6 months driving experience when he/she obtains a full license can be increased to 2 years. So the conclusion is really- MORE EXPERIENCE AND DISCIPLE=LESS ACCIDENT RATES

Saran Charavanamuttu, London, United Kingdom

This is no more than half a footstep in the right direction.There is a high accident rate amongst young novice drivers but this is multiplied several times when the young novice is carrying passengers. For the government to say it is unworkable is a cop out.
All novice drivers should have a disc displayed above their road fund licence,failure to display would be an offence.Any novice driver found to be carrying more than two passengers under 21 would committ an endorseable offence.
Raising the age limit to 18 will have little to no effect on the computer game sub-culture;an 18 yr old with three or four similar aged passengers whose only driving experience has been on the playstation will continue to be subject to peer group pressure encouraging faster speed with no regard to consequence.

paul lewis, wallasey, merseyside

Brilliant Idea!

Pat, Chiselhurst,

The question to be aasked is will this increase the number of drivers without licence, insurance and so on. The insurance industry estimates that if no one drove without insurance they could cut premiums by about 25%.
the driving culture will cause young drivers to drive irresponsibly without a licence if they are forced to work harder to legally drive.
not sure what the answer is but it will take more than this move

Ben, folkestone, uk

Lets get thgis right ..
At 16 you can join the army, have sex have a baby , get married ..
serious stuff..
But you have to wait till 18 to buy alcohol & now may have to wait till 18 to drive a car . I do not understand the sense of this .

Clive, Chester, uk

I can see how this proposal makes sense,however it will do nothing to stop deaths and accidents on the roads related to young drivers it will only cause uproar within the young people of our society - not good,as I am one of them myself.

Joe, Sussex,

I am 25, and currently learning to drive, and frankly don't know how 17 yr olds do it. I was well-adjusted, normal and fairly mature at that age, but I genuinely don't think I'd have been able to cope with the responsibility or have had the judgement skills needed to drive on busy roads nowadays. I think the answer definitely lies in learner drivers having to complete a set numbers of hours of practice, with a responsible adult supervising, and re-testing every 5 or so years.

Lauren, London,

Physical age is no indication of mental age which is where the problem really lies. The test may prove that an eighteen year old is mentally capable of controlling a vehicle it is not likely to test his mental maturity. Once he has attained a licence and legality, if his mental age is only twelve then his ability to make life threatening decisions are thrown away along with his L plates. Fear may only alter his judgement in the split second when he discovers he is travelling too fast and too close to the vehicle in front too late. The only sympathy I have is for the innocent victims caught up in the ensuing carnage.
What really puzzles me is that in 1940 pilots in this age group fought and saved this country in the Battle of Britain. Today, - I don't think so!

Thorrun, Brentwood,

so the Govt changes the starting age to 18. What are all the driving test examiners going to do for 12 months while all the new 17 yr olds get to 18 There'll be a darn sight fewer test . Is the British public going to pay for them all to take a year off!! Come to that, where will the ADI's earn their wages from for that same year? I bet most of the respondants to this question would not be very happy to take a years unpaid leave because the Govt said so! The best solution is to make all learners regardless of age take a compulsory number of professional lessons. Also make the the Pass Plus Scheme compulsory with a second Formal test in this area within a set time limit from the 1st test being passed.

Simon, Shropshire,

Anyone thought why over 25's are better drivers ?
all the stupid and careless drivers have allready killed themselfs.

Its the Darwin principle. Nature has a way of weeding out reckless drivers.

look on the brightside more accidents = more organ doners.
theres a shortage of body parts anyway, since we don't like anyone doing any thing that might cause death or injury.

Dave , Peterborough, UK

I think Antony in Melbourne is deluding himself. Australia posesses some of the worst drivers I have ever seen. No lane discipline, no sense of space, no use of indicators, tailgating, street racing, and worst of all, some of the worst maintained roads. Accident rates here are appalling. It's true that new driver sit on a red then green 'P' plate for 2 years but this is relatively meaningless. Death tolls for young drivers is horrendously high and street racing is fast becoming the sport of choice. My view would be to restrict new drivers to the engine size of the car. Modified vehicles are easily spotted and policing this should be relatively straightforward. Insurance policies for all, not just young drivers, should also be more competitive. Here, the number of 'P' plate drivers racing around in modified Skylines is unbelievable with bass pumping, guttaral exhaust note and continuous decompression of dump-valves...it's a nightmare. Oh, and double-demerit points on Bank Holidays!!

Paul, Sydney, Australia

Raising the driving age limit will save lives. And whilst we're about it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to raise the target readership age of "The Times" from sixteen to eighteen as well.

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

I do think there should be less deaths on our roads but i am 16 now and 17 in november, if these plans go ahead in october i will have to wait another year! The plans do not consider the majority of very careful, sensible drivers my age.

pete, nottingham, uk

Personally I think it should be raised to 25, my 17 yr old son is busy learning to drive and it fills me with horrors. He wants to pass his test as quickly as possible, having never driven in the dark or in bad weather. They should also restrict the the size of engine they can drive, far too many young boys driving high powered vehicles, don't know how they afford the insurance!!

Chris , Durham, U.K.

Great Idea, Let boys ride motorcycles instead: that will be much safer.

John , Epsom,

In complete agreement, with the majority of reforms suggested. Zero alcohol is a must, i know too many young drivers who feel they are indestructable, more so when they have been drinking.

I feel a reform in the driving test is a must too, attitude towards driving should be reviewed, and once you have passed your test, i believe not only should you have to remain in the 2 year 6 point and re-take test scenario, but also be reviewed after 12months,

my reasoning behind this is when i passed my test 4 years ago, my examiner told me "congratulations you have passed, you are now able to continue your learning safely."

I agree, continue learning is correct, but it should be reviewed too!

I am also afraid to concede there are exceptions in this case, many young drivers are mature and experienced, have a safe attitude and approach to driving, and do take their responsiblities seriously, and there are also over 25's who drive like toddlers, but my point stands!

Darren Fitz, Essex, UK

Heulwen - surely your comment is a sad reflection on the state of our driving test. If people "only start to learn once they have passed their test" then we are doing something wrong. The test must surely be to verify that people do know how to drive and if the test is not currently doing this then what is the point. Surely youngstrs should just be given an introduction to how a car works and then given a licence straight away to get on the roads alone and start "learning". This is a ridiculous argument often cited but never backed up.

MB from Edinburgh - the fact that you are nearly 30 is irrelevant. As many people have rightly stated, maturity and responsibility is not alway linked to age and neither is ability. Any change in the law should apply equally to all new drivers and not simply to teenagers.

Will Miller, London,

How are people supposed to fund this 12 month course???? Lessons cost abou 15-20 an hour! At a conservative guess of 3 hours per week that's crossing the £2000 mark!!!! Bearing in mind everyone will also HAVE to be in school til 18 AND paying for public transport (which where I live is currently £2.20 for a single into the main town from the surrounding areas where most people live....)

Ridiculous. Of course there are more accidents with younger drivers - they will still be the highest at risk even if they drive for 12 months before taking a test as they will still be less experienced than everyone else therefore still vilified and likely to be subjected to even more nannying in the future.

Katherine, Llandudno,

A driving Licence does not mean that the holder is a good driver. It means that they can drive unsupervised.
How many of all accidents caused by 17 - 25 year olds are by those 17 years old? Why do they have them? Lack of Experience !
It is true that a 17 year old who has passed their test after a week's intensive course in the summer might not drive for four months and then drive 300 miles at night on a Motorway all of which is totally alien to them.
After passing the Test new drivers should have to continue to receive instruction either in the form of the Pass Plus course or some similar instruction which teaches defensive driving together with Use of Motorways and Rural roads, Dual carriageways, Bad weather driving and were possible Night driving.
If bad driving were to be policed better then this would also cut down the cause of accidents.
e.g. Drivers turning right from the left lane of a roundabout.
or Drivers deliberately turning right at "No right turn" junctions.

Mike, New Malden, UK

simon, i would just like to point out the flaw in making the 18 year old drivers use 'P' plates, unfortunatly we do not live in a patient society, and when i used mine after not using it when my parents insisted, i found that many other drivers on the road began to take advantage, and i ended up being put into a compromising position far more frequently as a result of others' careless actions than i had without it.

as for the other suggestions, i would say the a zero alcohol limit for all drivers, as it is incredably narrow minded and ignorent to assume that the only drink drivers are under 25, or that due to older age one can control their action when drunk, as this is simply not true.

lastly i have to say the the exence of financing driving lessons for even a short period is exceedingly difficult for the majority of young people even now, as they are now increasing the period of learning for the majority, would it not be sensible to try to at least assist with the costs??

fran, Snodland, england

"Is 16 too young to drive?" that a mistaken headline?

Joel Kara, Ilford, UK

Steve, Roger - are you joking? The test had got periodically harder for years - subsequently it takes longer to pass and is much more expensive, and so the percentage of 17 and 18 year olds who drive is now much smaller. When my father took his motorbike test aged 16 in 1963, he fell off, and was still passed by the examiner because they shared a surname.

And to all the those in favour of a ban- everyone, it seems- I suppose none of you had a driving licence when you were 17 or 18? No? Why shouldn't young people be allowed to drive? We all were. Yes if you took all the under 25s off the road you'd get rid of the small percentage of aggressive males who cause alot of road accidents, but by the same logic, if you banned alcohol in the UK, you'd get rid of huge social problems, decrease deaths from dangerous driving, from alcoholism, etc etc. But that would mean most people, not just a few (the tyranny of the majority) giving up a small pleasure, so that isn't going to happen.

Rachel, Edinburgh,

Does the DSA seriously think that this will actually produce safer drivers?

Anyone who works within this industry knows how ridiculous and political the business of 'driving tests' already are with near perfect expectations, ridiculous standards and 'quotas'.

Imposing a 'near perfect' standard does not produce safer drivers and neither will raising the age limit

Perhaps a better idea would be to randomly reassess drivers throughout their 'driving careers' taking a sample of drivers of various ages from each test centre area. Impose the same conditions as with Jury Service, making it dificult to get out of and any dangerous drivers can be dealt with on an as and when basis as they are identified.

Further more, what about dangerous elderly drivers? How would the DSA suggest dealing with them?

Lee from Holywell - Countries all across the globe have Governments who 'mess around' with the Laws, the UK is not on its own there, sorry to say.

Charlotte, Wiltshire,

Well I live in the US, in New Jersey actually, and we have one of the most strict learning to drive rules in the country, but sadly I don't think it's enough.

We have it so that at 16, you have to have 6 hours of driving lessons with a professional instructor, after that you get your learners permit. That's good for a year, where you have to drive around with someone who has their license and is older than 21. One year later at 17 you can go to take the drivers test, which is where I feel that we fail. The test takes about 5 minutes, in a 'course' which is technically 2 streets, so if you can stop at at a sign, use your blinker, and parallel park, you've basically passed.

Once you've passed that test your are given provisional license which is required for a year. The restrictions are that you can't drive with more than 1 person who isn't in your family, and you can't drive between Midnight and 6 in the morning.

And finally when you're 18, you get a full, unrestricted license.

Sam Ludwig, Ho-Ho-Kus, United States

With the aging population it won't be longer before elderly drivers are killing more than the younger ones, I've never had a problem with younger drivers (apart from their taste in music!), but elderly drivers have pulled out in front of me countless times. They need to address the elderly , half blind drivers on the road at the same time as dealing with problems with younger drivers

steve, London,

Reduce the power of the cars that newly qualified drivers can drive just like with motorbikes!

Iain, London, UK

Here's an idea; why don't we just lock up every single person once they turn thirteen, until they're twenty. Judging by the amount of problems blamed on teenagers, this would leave a perfect country, would it not? Or are they simply being used as a scapegoat so as not to upset the voting public? Lets think.

Paul Mahalo, Hull,

I would be interested to know how many deaths/accidents are caused by drivers under 18 , not just 25. It is not proposed to ban under drivers under 25, so let's see relevant statistics. Surely if the age is raised to 18, the (slightly older) novice drivers will still have a higher accident rate ?

Colin David John Skelton, Maldon, UK

Why does the Government not impose a limit on the cc of cars which new drivers can drive, say 1000cc for the first three years? - it would help those less well off afford insurance too?

Vicky Timmins, Derby, England

I agree with others who suggest that engine size should also be a factor. Too many teenagers, in this area anyway, drive about in Mummy's Volkswagen Golf GTi - an almost stupidly powerful car. Oh, that and daddy's 4x4...

In the late 80's and 90's, the insurance grouping of the Golf was kicked up, because so many youngsters were crashing them, often fatally. Now, it seems, they've become affordable again, whether by second driver cover, or the fact that more and more youngsters are remaining with their parents for longer and so can afford the premiums.

It is absurd that someone can pas his or her test one day, and the next legally drive a car capable of 150mph. I know of one teenager locally who pays almost £2000 per year for insurance of his souped-up Ford Cosworth. He's a nice kid, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere near him on the open road.

Simon W, Chesham/Bucks, UK

Perhaps Ian from Bristol hasn't thought of this, but does it not seem more likely that 25+ year olds are involved in less accidents because they have had 8+ years of driving experience? I don't think scientists have yet discovered a gene that activates on one's 25th birthday engendering spontaneous maturity. And perhaps he should consider removing himself from the road to reduce congestion rather than banning all students from driving.....

James, London,

The rights of young people seem to slowly be erroding, the emphasis seems to be on raising the age limit for everything and to treat 16 and 17 year olds as children, rather than young people with rights. Fine, if you persue that line expect childish behaviour, and rebellous behaviour. Alternatively you could treat this age group with a little less patronising attitude and get them to engage as adults.

chris, Newton-le-willows, UK

So then at 17 this government is perfectly happy for to let me die for my country on a battlefield, but doesnt want to let me drive, smoke or drink?

Matt S, Chorley,

The limit here in Australia is 18 years old, with 17 year old kids learning to drive whilst on L plates and in the company of a fully licenced driver. When they get their license they have to display P plates for 2 years and have a zero alcohol level whilst driving. We also have 'hoon' laws now where cars are inpounded and eventually confiscated for repeat offenders. I think a zero limit should apply to everyone and maybe one day this will happen(drink=dont drive), but in the meantime our system is a much better one seeing we have much more powerful cars, biggers cars and long wide high speed roads. Unfortunately though flowers honouring the dead still are evident on every roadside from kids hitting poles and trees.

Antony, Melbourne, Australia

Yes all sounds dandy. And how is this going to be enforced? I've not seen a police car on the road for a long time, let alone pull anybody over.

IMHO this will only lead to more young people driving on the road with no experience or training whatsoever.

To the commenter who posted earlier about raising the age to 25. Are you mad? I'm 24, male, I need to drive for my job! If i couldn't drive now I wouldn't have been able to get to any of the job interviews I attended, let alone do the job i do now.

It is the few that spoil it for the majority - which is the case for so many things in this sad excuse for a country.

George Owens, London, UK

Like many of the comments already made, I don’t think a blanket increase in age is the only answer here. The madness of the system as it is now is that a 17 year old can pass a test with a small amount of practice (I wouldn’t call it experience at this stage) and can then get behind the wheel of a 200+ mph supercar if they can afford the insurance. (age 18 is no better)

I think the minimum age should be 18 unless the driver has used a moped at age 16 for a year and therefore gained experience of road conditions etc in which case they can drive at 17. An engine power output limit should be applied until the age of 21 on ‘P’ plates unless that driver has more that 3 points on their licence in which case it stays until 25. Restricted power cars also must be ‘type approved’ so not modified (including blacked out windows, suspension mods and large exhausts) and only one passenger under 21 can be carried on ‘P’ plates And more visible police on the road!

Phil C, Rugby, UK

I think one of the main reasons for the high number of accidents and deaths involving new and young drivers is the fact that as soon as they pass their test they are able to drive high power cars. I think that the cc and power of cars should be severely restricted until new drivers have gained a reasonable amount of experience. The majority of learners of any age are taught in smaller engined cars and have no idea of how to handle high power vehicles. The alternative is to train people to handle high power cars as part of the learning and test process. I also think that skid pan training should be incorporated in training packages.

Peter , Cwmbran, Wales

Could it be that more under 25s are having accidents becuase more under 25s now somehow seem to have cars?
When I passed my test 25 years ago at the age of 17, as most of my friends did in the sixth form, none of us could afford a car- in fact I think there were only two. We had to wait until we had finished at uni and were in our first job before a car appeared on our shopping list. Up to that point we had to plead to borrow our parents car for those very special occasions and heaven forbid that we should not return it safely in the same condition. Now teenagers want it all. I only have to look at the full school carpark for students at my daughters school to see some kids in cars better than my own. Gone are the days when it was a priviledge to hold just the licence and then aspire to being in charge of our own wheels.

CB, Essex,

They did it with motorbikes so why not cars?
The Government in their wisdom lowered the cc of the engine you were allowed to ride due to deaths and accidents from 250 to 125 max way back when so why not do it with cars..
Let the younger person only be allowed to drive up to 1000cc and an unmodified car until they are 21.
They get all the driving experience they need that way.
What difference will a year make from 17 to 18?
The government will get their wish for more smaller, cleaner, greener cars on the road for at least 4 years at a time and with some - longer.
Pass a law as well to make the insurance affordable for the younger ones (all of us infact), its daylight robbery what they charge as it law you must have it and surely the government must hate the competition of being able to rob us all blind in the name of... ;-)
By doing that maybe more will be able to afford to buy it and perhaps stop some of them driving around without it .

Cinlem, Sorviodunum, U K

This is very sensible stuff. There is a huge difference in maturity between 17 and 18 year olds, and the figures reinforce the need to do something. On our congested roads it is vital that the safety of all is put first. One point, though: any improvements in road deaths are mainly down to a) improvements in car design, and b) non-motorists being forced off the road. Hardly any children walk or cycle to school now, so we need to force the government to discourage people from driving at all in urban areas. Cut out those stupid 2-mile journeys.

Bill Duffay, London,

The zero alcohol plan is flawed for two reasons:

1) there are many situations in which a person might be perfectly fit to drive and has not 'drunk' any alcohol yet has alcohol in very small quantities in his/her body,: eg. wine, and small quantities of liqueurs are often used in cooking. This would mean that someone who eats coq au vin would be guilty of breaking the law and would lose their licence. Is this really desirable?

2) Not allowing any alcohol for young drivers but allowing it for older drivers sends a mixed message. You are incapable of drinking and driving whilst you are young but the older you are the safer it is to drink and then drive. What a ridiculous idea. Any alcohol limit on driving HAS to apply to all road users.

Will Miller, London,

The wrong end of the stick has been had here. The 17-year-olds running over people and crashing into the garden walls aren't the incompetent drivers with not enough practice, they are the ones with too much practice who choose to drive like maniacs and who choose to show off. They also won't be deterred from driving cars simply because it's illegal. Has anybody shown whichever ban-happy smiling Brownite minister clown proposed this the correlation between those 17 year olds driving untaxed and uninsured and those 17 year olds crashing cars and killing people? It's almost total, these are the scum who ignore the laws and who would be in prison anyway if the Government didn't keep inventing motoring offences for the police to busy themselves with.

Nobody's life would be saved by this proposal, although it will greatly inconvenience responsible 17 year olds who may live a long way from their school. This is the kind of Brown proposal that a Sun reader can nod along to but fails debate.

Adam Johns, Cardiff, UK

"I'd set the age to 25 as when a person can start to learn to drive. I'd also like to see only certain engine power be available to youngsters for the first few years post test (not engine size since engines can be chipped). Excellent idea about zero alcohol levels. "

Wow, I see that the "safety Nazis" have finally taken over in the UK. 25 yrs old to drive? GET REAL - Responsible 25 yrs olds are flying $40M fighter jets into combat.... Engine power is a silly regulation, a 200hp sports car is fast, but a 200hp 2-ton saloon is a dog. And zero alcohol? Someone who ate a piece of toast for breakfast will register traces of alcohol. How about PERSONAL RESPONSIBILTY? Raise it to 18, display a new driver sticker, and driving 5km over, you have to retest.

Marco, Miami, FL USA

Not only do we need to reduce the number of accidents, we also need desperately to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads. One simple way of doing this would be to restrict the age for driving to a minimum of 21 years and maximum of 65 years. Nice and easy for me to say as I'm between both but something needs to be done urgently before the road network comes to a grinding halt!!!

Kevin Bush, Maidstone, Kent

A restricted licence allowing youngsters to drive until 9 or 10 pm would keep them off the roads in the hours that most accidents happen.

Chris, Kent, UK

It is not the young drivers so much biy the drivers over 70 years old that cause most accidents. My farther in law is 72 and he receivies a form from DVLA to ask him some questions like how is your eyesite, blood pressure and hearing. He answers ok to all the questions and he is allowed to continiue driving. The only trouble is he is nearly blind and deaf as a post.
It is about time that they should have to take a medical at the age of 70 if they wish ti continiue to drive.
So come on Department of Transport get a grip and accidents will fall.

Malcolm Cole, Perth Scotland, United Kingdom

Hmmm... I think this new rule sucks. If you leave school at 16 years old how are you meant to get a job and be introduced to the working world properly if you don't have your own form of transport. It basically mean's a "doss year" for 16 year olds that decided to leave school.

Matthew Kenyon, Bowness, Cumbria

The problem is not youth, or inexperience. It is ignorance. Having read reports of horrific car accidents, and seen various presentations by victims of car crashes, I am fairly well educated in the dangers of driving. As such, I like to believe I am quite a safe driver, even though I only passed my test 5 months ago.
Another problem is the driving test, and the style required to pass it, is vastly different from that used by fully qualified motorists. My friends and myself, before passing, universally agreed that "Once you pass, then you can learn to drive". The driving test MUST be modified to teach students how to drive normally, yet safely.
One of the proposals, however, has me greatly incensed. The Zero-Tolerance approach to alcohol must either apply to ALL drivers, or to none. It is absurdly ignorant, even arrogant, to suggest that a 43 year old woman with 75mg of alcohol in her blood is a safer driver than an 18 year old boy who just had half a lager (because he was driving!).

Jamie Batabyal, Chaldon, UK

I think raising the age to 18 is quite correct. I also suggest for the first year they must display the green L plate to indicate to everyone else that they are novice drivers (which of cource they are).
It is also highly desirable that somehow or other during that first year of driving experience they should receive formal training for driving on motorways, driving at night and driving in very bad weather.
The army of observers in the Institute of Advanced Motorists might well be able to assist in this extra training.
At long last it seems to becoming clear to our motoring lords and masters that something must be done to stop this quite dreadful death and injury to our young and inexperienced drivers.
The same comments also apply in principle,to motorcycling.

John McAra, Callington, Cornwall

Like many of the comments already made, I don’t think a blanket increase in age is the only answer here.
The madness of the system as it is now is that a 17 year old can pass a test with a small amount of practice (I wouldn’t call it experience at this stage) and can then get behind the wheel of a 200+ mph supercar if they can afford the insurance. (Being 18 won't make much difference)
I think the minimum age should be 18 unless the driver has used a moped at age 16 for a year and therefore gained experience of road conditions etc in which case they can drive at 17. An engine power output limit should be applied until the age of 21 on ‘P’ plates unless that driver has more that 3 points on their licence in which case it stays until 25.
Restricted power cars must be 'type approved' so not modified (including blacked out windows, suspension mods and large exhausts) and only one passenger under 21 can be carried whilst on P Plates
And more visible police on the road!

Phil C, Rugby, UK

I'm in favour of the proposal to raise the driving age to 18. The area where I live is terrorised by these young drivers tearing around with no regard for other road (or footpath) users. Three accidents in the last 3 weeks would appear to prove the point.

I think it would also be wise to apply the 'P' pass plate rule, and limit the engine power output that a newly qualified driver (of any age) can have to 60bhp for two years after passing the test.

Finally, I believe that any 'at fault' accident during the first two years should result in a retest; if the driver has been drinking, then a 5 year automatic driving ban should be applied, followed by a retest.

Harsh? Yes, but something has to be done to stop this motoring madness.

Sam, Doncaster, UK

Ugh. It's SO UNFAIR! I hate you....

Kevin the Teenager, London,

I believe it is an outrage! In my experience younger drivers are far better than those over 60! Not all young drivers are irrasponsible, especially female ones such as myself.

samantha, newcastle,

I believe a blanket increase in the minimum age for driving from 17 to 18 doesn't really address the key issues.

Currently a 17 year old if he/she has enough money can, after taking a few lessons, pass a test and although has never driven alone, can get behind the wheel of a 200 mph+ car.

This is crazy when you compare this with the restrictions that apply to motorcycles. Would it make more sense to allow driving at 18 with an engine power restriction until the age of 21?

If the young person has been on the road at 16 with a moped and therefore has one years road experience including the effect weather etc has on the road conditions etc then they can learn to drive at the current 17? (the engine power output still applying)

The engine output restriction would also see an end to the 'pimping up' of cars with loud exhausts etc as they would not be 'type approved'.

When I learn't to drive a car those with '2 wheel' experience seemed to be much safer on the road.

Phil C, Rugby, UK

I think the idea of preventing rookies of driving in motorways and without any alcohol in mind is a good step forward to reduce youth death in cars accidents.

Andre Araujo de Oliveira, Vitoria, Brazil

It's a sad fact of life that this is a good idea. I'm 21 (and male - putting me in the "danger to others"group by default) and passed my test just under a year ago. On buying a car it's quite annoying that I'm paying obscene insurance due to cretinous young male drivers. This is the opinion of myself and my friends that drive, none of whom behave irresponsibly behind the wheel. I'd like to think a higher minimum age would improve things but I'm not so sure, those that spoil it already will continue to do so anyway, and I certainly doubt insurance companies are going to respond by lovering premiums.

Ollie, Bristol, UK

I agree with Andrew Milners comments about passing the driving test only gets you to the start line.
It's patently obvious that the majority of driving schools are teaching pupils to get through the test and are not teaching them how to drive in todays traffic. However, in fairness to the younger generation I'd like to see driving standards enforced more vigourously across the board, there are plenty of older drivers whose standards of driving are less than satisfactory.

Malcolm, Enfield, UK

The type of person to risk their life and others' by driving dangerously at 17 will also drive carelessly at the 18 as well. People don't suddenly change at 18. Why penalise the whole population of young people who would drive responsibly for the sake of a selfish few who frankly shouldn't have passed in the first place?
This proposal discriminates against those who cannot afford to "train" for a year. For my friend whose "daddy is buying her a mercedes" in August, a year's worth of driving lessons is no problem, but for myself and many others who need to pass their tests quickly due to expense, this proposal is unfair. The fact she may have more money then I doesn't mean she will be a better driver.
Finally, the argument that 17 year olds who pass their tests in the summer are incapable applies to drivers of any age, and suggests a problem more with the testing system than that individual. Is it not in fact proven that the younger you are, the more effectively you learn?

Allie, Halifax, UK

When will people learn! For the last time it's NOT the age of the driver which causes accidents and deaths, it's the lack of experience new drivers have, whatever their age.

I've been driving almost a year now - I don't in any way claim to be perfect, in fact I know I'm far from it. I've been careful and managed to avoid having an incident, although I have come close on a couple of occasions. Were any of those my fault, most likely. would they have happened if I'd passed my test at 18, again most likely.

Some people will have the wrong attitude to driving whatever their age, so why penalise those people who don't by making them wait longer?

Young people CAN be safe drivers!

Mike Blitz, Winchester, UK

Most drivers will take six to nine months to pass their test, what difference will it make?
Driving is about recognising and dealing with hazards early to keep yourself and others safe.
I believe the way you drive is in bred or a direct result on role models you have grown up with. Therefore if you sit with a parent,friend or relation who drives to the limit or is unable to share the road that's how you believe you should drive. When learners pass their driving test and they are responsible for their own decision making
SOME decide to show off ,or tend to drive like those around them who think they are experienced but drive less than the required standard,speeding ,cutting corners, not going round mini roundabouts not using the basis of driving MSPSL. New drivers quickly lower their standards which can unfortunately lead to fatalities amongst 17 to 25 year olds. But what about the other two thirds of drivers that cause death or actually die? Remember these drivers are EXPERIENCED

Julie, Plymouth, Devon

We need better a number of things to improve KSI statistics in young drivers.

1) more rounded and improved driver training (i.e. include motorways in the learning process, skid pan training, basic car maintenance etc etc)
2) experience based licensing, i.e. limit engine CC or power by number of years experience.
3) a move away from "speed kills" as the be all and end all of road safety, as a part of this increase the number of HUMAN traffic officers.

Number 3 is key, since the Speed Kills campaign started some 10 years ago, road deaths nationally have been increasing, where the trend was infact downward before the campaign started.

sam, sussex, uk

I agree with raising the minimum driving age; personally i would gradually increase it to 21 but as 18-year olds have votes that is clearly not going to happen.

Most of us understand that you don't really learn to drive until you have passed your test so I like the idea that once you have done so (at whatever age) there is a period when you are restricted from doing certain things, including driving cars with more powerful engines and using motorways. In my view that probabtionary period should last at least 2 years, and should re-start if you commit any offence or are held responsible for causing an accident before it has been completed.

As far as alcohol is concerned if zero tolerance really is the best policy then it should surely apply to all of us.

Keith Berrett, Cheshire,

i think this is ridiculous! yes its okay to pass your test at 17 and get out there and drive... im 18 i had a car crash only 6 weeks after passing my test and the person whos fault it was was a 40 year old woman....what does this prove?? if anything i think there should be a line drawn under the alcohol limit and no one should be aloud to drink at drive... weather it is one glass or half a pint. since passing my test i make decisions.... do i have a drink or do i drive and i always choose to drive and drink coke instead. raising the age to 18 will not make a difference, i think that in certain circumstances when you hit 60 you should have a re-test because it is the older generation too or should be tested every 10 years. do people not think of the money involved? i spent approximately £400 on lessons then a further £90 for my test and £30 for my theory... it all mounts up. luckily i am working so i could afford this. what about students who need to drive to college or uni?

rachel , grantham,

Bad drivers crash when they start driving. It makes absolutely no difference if their 17 or 27! The government is simply going after a soft target. They dont tell pensioners they can no longer drive, because pensioners go out and vote! Yet we all know there are over 70's that are on the roads that are completley unsafe to be there. AS FOR ALCHOHOL, well it seems i must be an ignorant man. I didnt realise that the older you get the safer it is for you to drink drive. By all means ban any drinking before driving, sounds like a great idea, but why just young drivers. Why doesnt the government actually go after harder targets and not just young people! BEING YOUNG IS NOT A CRIME.

Caleb, southend on sea, UK

So let's make it harder for young people to drive now. Forget abot all the 80 yr olds who haven't got a clue about current test standards and good driving practise... we should target the young and hit them harder... Because the increased price of learning, buying and maintaining a car isn't enough. Honestly! Don't you think the drinking is more the problem than the driving?? No? Obviously, another knee jerk reaction to a problem that has several more complex issues. Great... And the government wonders why the younger generation are more apathetic...maybe because they get blamed for everything andend up paying the price anyway.

Caroline Jackson-Hicks, Helston,

Electric cars for everyone under 25

TS, Bristol, UK

There is never one pat answer to solve these kind of issues. Here in the US the rules vary state by state, but here in Oregon Driver education is available through the high schools the kids attend, and they are required to have 50 - 100 additional driving hours (certified by their parent or legal guardian) before they can test for a license. In addition, once they get their license they are prohibited from driving with anyone else in the car except a family member or adult 21 years of age or older. They are also prohibited from driving after midnight unless it is to/from a job. The license minimum age is 16. In some states it is younger, especially states with a large number of farms or ranches where the kids need to be driving vehicles sooner in order to work. Special restrictions apply for these things as well. Also, until the kid is 18 the parents can have their license revoked upon request.

Mariah, Bend, US/Oregon

Like many of the comments already made, I don’t think a blanket increase in age is the only answer here. The madness of the system as it is now is that a 17 year old can pass a test with a small amount of practice (I wouldn’t call it experience at this stage) and can then get behind the wheel of a 200+ mph supercar if they can afford the insurance. (age 18 is no better) I think the minimum age should be 18 unless the driver has used a moped at age 16 for a year and therefore gained experience of road conditions etc in which case they can drive at 17. An engine power output limit should be applied until the age of 21 on circ;€˜P’ plates unless that driver has gained more than 3 points on their licence in which case it stays until 25. Restricted power cars also must be ‘type approved’ so not modified (including blacked out windows, suspension mods and large exhausts) and only one passenger under 21 can be carried on ‘P’ plates

Plus more visible police on the road!

Phil C, Rugby, UK

As a young driver myself I am hugely in favour of the new proposals! My school has been unfortunate enough to lose four much loved and missed young men in the last year (in two separate incidents involving new drivers). Terrifyingly, I have witnessed teens in the year below me passing their tests in a matter of weeks and yet seem barely able to drive in a straight line. Furthermore, despite the disgust they receive from fellow pupils, I know of many young drivers who drink drive, mostly male.

It took me a year to pass my test and it took me that long to feel experienced enough to be driving on my own. Following this, I took the Pass Plus scheme (which, although expensive, I believe should be compulsary for all new drivers before they are allowed on a motorway on their own).

One point worth noting is the fact that, in my experience, new drivers tend to be far more careful and sensible when they are behind the wheel of a parent's car than when they have their own!

Sally Rushton, Harrogate,

This isn't actaully a new idea. Back in the early 60s the DoT enforced a minimum licence age of 17.5, simply by refusing to give anyone an appointment for a test until they WERE 17 and a half.
Yes: I know it was illegal, but that was the system. When it stopped I don't know

Mike Bibby, St Albans, England -not EU

I believe in Canada that new drivers are not allowed to drive at night until they had have a full licence for a year or on some of the busier roads - no matter what age they obtain their licence. That seems like a very good idea as passing your test is only the beginning of learning how to drive - it takes time to become road wise etc. and young people are often too immature to fully appreciate the responsibility of holding a licence. I know of 2 -18 year olds who wrote off their cars within months of passing their tests - it could have been much worse, they could have lost their lives. We need to instill a greater sense of the power of the car into our young drivers and a period of probation would be a very good idea. I know it would have helped me when I passed my test to gain confidence out there in the busy roads and today the roads are much busier - and I was 30.

Celia Lewis, Coventry, England

whilst young drivers appear to be involved in more accidents the time has come for some form of assesment for drivers over the age of 70. filling in your own health form does not seem a very safe way of deciding wether sombody is safe to drive.

Michael johns, croydon, surrey

I have a 15 year old daughter and live in the US (Colorado) . It scares the hell out of me that by law, she can drive. I'm not going to let her til she's 18. I used to work as a Paramedic and have seen to much to let a child move several thousand pounds of steel at high speed down a roadway. Too many kids have been killed and or injured in car wrecks. Compare the number of auto deaths to gun deaths anywhere, which is worse? We don't let them play with guns, even in the US!

Tom Frank, Thornton, Colorado USA

Total rubbish! 17,18 or 28 - experience matters! Impose a minimum number of instructed hours to include night/motorway and winter instruction displayed via either number plate display or via technology that a traffic police car can pickup on. Limit the power inexperienced drivers can use as per motorbikes. Ban all mods to a car for drivers with less than 2 years experience after qualification and a limit of the max of 1 passenger for 12 months after passing all tests unless any additional passenger is a full licence holder. I would even go further and insist that nobody who applies to stay in this country as a resident can drive until they too have passed all the same tests and driven the same hours and anyone who receives a ban has to follow the same procedure. I would also like to add that the standard of driving today is a joke, too many drivers abuse the system, speed cameras, sorry SAFETY cameras don’t catch them, it’s about time the government reintroduced the Traffic Cop back to the streets to sort this mess out rather than simply getting the revenue from the cameras and using it as an excuse that speed it the main killer, it isn’t, poor driving is!

R Brook, Halifax, W. Yorks

Here is a suggestion for encouraging young drivers to be safer and to have more experience: raise the criteria for passing the driving test. Presently someone can pass a driving test with 15 minor mistakes during a forty minute drive. This is an obscene number of mistakes and how can it be minor when there is more than one mistake every three minutes. If the test was more difficult (i.e. allowing a maximum of 5 minors) then teenagers would have to have far more experience before taking the test or risk losing their money.

Another way to ensure youngsters are ready for driving and have enough experience would be to base insurance on the driver's ability and attitude rather than their sex or age. Some young male drivers are fantastic compared to some middle aged or elderly women on the roads! A simple way to enforce this would be to vary the insurance premium depnding on the number of tests taken to pass as well as the number of minors or majors racked up.

Will Miller, London,

I dont believe that following the US would be a good idea. although it may seem like a good idea. the style of driving in the US and Canada as well is much diffrent. not just due to the regulations but the road sizes and shapes as well. In Canada you can apply for a learners permit at 14. but you must have a fully licensed adult in the passangers seat at all times and you cannot carry other passengers. once you hit 16 you can do your full road test and then you have 2 years probation and you have to re-sit your driving exam at the end of your probabation to get the restrictions removed.

I have worked for 3 years as a firefighter in Canada I haave seen accidents where a 19 year old rolled a brand new truck he bought because of ice going 80km/hr and been fine. i have seen a family driving 30km/hr in a school zone hit a telegraph pole and the grandmother killed. 0km/hr can kill you. The Drivers Age isnt always at blame.

Lane, Glasgow,

Like others on here I am a white male over 30 and therefore a perfect driver, eminently qualified to judge all others. Based on the scientific result of my drive in this morning, the worst drivers are middle aged woman in people carriers who sit in the middle lane and an older chap in a SAAB who cut me up at on a roundabout while not using his mirrors. Both groups should therefore be banned immediately.

In fact Students would probably be the least obvious group to arbitrarily ban if congestion cutting is the aim - most do not drive (are still in bed!!) at peak times.

Also disagree that new/young drivers should be subject to a different alcohol threshold, the inference being that experience can compensate for driving drunk. Don't think this has ever been proven?

Raisng the driving age to 18 will do absolutely nothing to improve standards. The youngest group of drivers will necessarily be the least experienced and will have the most acccidents, wherever the cut off point.

Richard, Swindon, UK

As the author points out, the driving test does not test ability to drive in poor conditions, or motorway driving. The real learning experience begins once the learner has passed. New (young) drivers also often lack the road courtesy that most of us employ, and this is probably just down to immaturity.

I also agree that there should be a period (say 2 years) where drivers are limited to a certain power output, as this might curtail some of the stupidity that goes on. Finally, a re-test should be required once every 10 years, to ensure adherence to the highway code. It may just be down to lazy driving, but I see older drivers making 'schoolboy' errors all the time, some of them dangerous, some less so.

CT, Wolverhampton, UK

I think the 'zero tolerance on alcohol for a year for all new drivers' is an excellent idea. Not all new drivers are young - (I was 40 when I finally passed!) but inexperience and alcohol are a very poor combination behind the wheel whatever age you are.

And after a dry-driving year, it's likely that many new drivers will have got used to it and it'll lead to a long-term decrease in drink-driving.

Maria McCarthy (author of The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L Plates - how to pass your driving test published by Simon and Schuster), Sidmouth, Devon

In Holand you can have lessons from the age of 18 & only with a qualified driving instructor. Before alllowed on the road one had to pass a theory test, which, to me, makes perfect sense. How can someone be allowed on the road if you can't even interpret the signs, let alone learn some common sense. Part of the practical lessons, by law, had to include motorway driving; bad weather (never far off in Holland) and driving in the city and in the evening (i.e. dark). Must confess I'm proud to have passed 1st time When going for my Motorcycle test in the UK it was easy to be taught by my other half without any checks, theory or further warnings of dangers off the the road. Again - no training on motorways/bad weather/winter or just English conditions required before the test. Is it any wonder our young boys and girls aren't trained sufficiently to cope with rules developed decades ago but with much more powerful machines to deal with, let alone the huge increase of traffic?

Lianne, Warminster,

Raising the driving age will penalise those young people living in areas not best served by public transport. Surely it would make more sense to place some restrictions on the driving licence in the first year and to make it mandatory to have motorway driving lessons after passing the test and to use P plates for at least 6 months.?
I believe that in some countries,inexperienced drivers are not allowed to drive at night or with more than one other person in the car for the first year. Would the same work here?

Helen, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire

In New Zealand the age for someone being able to apply for their driving license is 15! There are lengthy tests however before they are able to hold a restricted license and then a full license. However, if you check out NZ statistics on "children" driving then you will see that it is not necessarily the age of the driver but of the care less attitude they have to owning a vehicle and the "right" to drive. Couple this with car insurance being non compulsory and you have a recipe for disaster, one that is not being addressed in any intelligent manner. NZ is one of the most over regulated countries in the world. Examine the reasons for why you are changing things and regulating. If you don't Britain/UK may well go the same way as NZ

JJ, Auckland, New Zealand

Hmm. In most of the USA, the age for driving is 16. The age for drinking alcohol in a bar or buying it in a liquor store is 21. Go figure, as they say over there.

David Hoggard, York,

As usual this pathetic government responds with a knee-jerk reaction. This is not seen as a problem in the USA. Three you are taught to drive and, a certain point in your instruction, you pass a test. Thai
t test will almost certainly included the use of a freeway or interstate. Here you are taught to pass the test and then left to learn to drive the best you can.

Let's change to the American way (which I suspect is also the way in many other countries) and teach people to drive rather teach them to pass a test.

I never had an official driving lesson in my life. I took three goes to pass the test by which time I'd driven thousands of miles on car tours. The examiner said 'you don't look in the mirror enough and you don't use the handbrake enough but it's obvious you can drove a car so I'll pass you'. In other words; you failed the test but you know how to drive. What an indictment of our methods of driver training and examining.

Roger Tilbury, worthing, England

For too long now we have been handing out driving licenses with very little driver training. In my opinion this doesn't go far enough.

The age should be raised to 21 and the test completely overhauled. The number of mid lane cruziers on the motorway is an example of where your given a license to drive with no real training or experience. The test should also cover things like basic car maintenance, checking tyres and lights etc.

Simon, Bristol, Avon

In the last 60 years progessivly higher power outputs have been provided so even a cheap runabout now has more power and therefore acceleration than the jaguar xk 120 of my youth ,while roadholdind and tyres have improved they have not improved as much as speeds .A restriction on the power to weight ratio would prevent inexperienced drivers accererating faster than they can stop. A few skids on wet roads at low speed teaches you ,at high speed it kills you.

gpedlin, london, uk

What is the point in enforcing a 12 month learning period when some people naturally adapt to driving better than others? For those who adapt quickly and could pass and drive capably in 6 months or less, this is a waste of time and money, possibly causing more frustration on the part of the driver and possibly causing more crashes or dangerous driving behaviour.
The proposal for motorway driving to be restricted to more experienced drivers is also a silly idea. Driving on the motorway is a very different experience to driving on a 70mph dual carriageway, as I recently found out. As any motorway user will know, you need to be alert all the time, and realistically driving on a motorway employs different skills to much else in driving. As such, more driving experience on normal roads would prove to have little use.
Accidents happen, and as soon as the government realises this and stops trying to remove them from life, the better. Plus, speed doesn't kill, slow reactions do.

Nick, Leeds, UK

Another typical negative government reaction - if they don't understand a trend they ban it or tax it. I suggest that gordon has a chat with his new friends in the US and learns how they manage to have young reasonably safe drivers. Incidently, this is a reasonably unbiased comment as I am 3 times the proposed new age limit!

Peter Edwards, Sutton, Surrey

Sir.
Why does the Government simply adopt the rules for motorcycles? and restrict the vehicles BHP or cc (cubic capacity).
This could restrict new drivers to a vehicle of 1000cc.

Also make the use of "P" plates compulsory for a period of say 6 months from when the test was passed.

There are already enough restrictions in place by Insurance companies.

What would happen if a young driver from the EU wanted to drive on UK roads? they cannot be banned under current EU ruling. This could mean under 18's taking their test in another EU country in order to drive on UK roads.

Kevin Baker, Cramlington, UK

I have a 19yr old who has passed his test he took 9months to learn my 17yr old has just started to learn to drive. My experience is that more mature drivers like to cut up learners and over take get horn happy when they take time to pull away or stall, setting a bad expample. Not all teenage drivers are irresponsible.
I am all for a 1yrs probabtion for after they have passed with zero tollerance for alcohol, speeding, phone use etc but surely we should all adhere to these rules. I still see many drivers driving with mobile phones and not hands free. I am regularly over taken whilst doing 40 in a 40mile hr limit.
If you raise the limit to 18 then you should limit the age of older drivers. Both my father and father in law should not be driving 1 is 74 and 1, 84 both sign their eye sight form and thats it. I have told them to give up but they say why should we! Both drive and drink too much. Tests should be introduced after a certain age.
There are bad drivers from every age!

sarah, whitstable, kent

I think this new law is not going to solve anything. Nothing can be done about how some stupid people choose to drive and even the most experianced drivers can have accidents. The law about zero alcohol being allowed in the drivers system is a good idea but shouldn't just be placed upon younger drivers.

Suzanne (16), Aberdeen,

I agree with Grant Morgan from Coleford. Limiting the engine size of the car would go a long way towards preventing so many deaths and accidents. We do it with motorcycles, why not cars too?

In some other countries, a newly qualified driver has a "probationary" period after they've passed their test. Any driving infringements and they must take the test again. Perhaps this should be a part of any new laws tackling this problem too.

@Will from London - It's only after you pass your test that you truly start learning how to drive. There is a yawning difference between the relative safety of a dual-control instructor's vehicle and being out on the road by yourself for the first time in a tonne of potentially lethal machinery. If more people realised this, there would probably be far fewer accidents.

Heulwen Price, Melbourne, Australia

I agree with Will. I am 33 but see no reason why young people shouldn't pass a test and be fit to drive.

However make the test harder and longer. Add night, motorway and rural driving to the tests in different parts so it is harder to pass.

I believe most of the problems come from a lack of training and knowledge on the consequences of driving recklessly so add another part to the theory about accidents, deaths and what happens when you drive too fast for the conditions.

Why can't this approach be adopted? Is it becasue it would kill the advanced driving test business?

I see many more poor elderly drivers on my daily road travels than younger drivers.

If you are good enough you are old enough.

Si, Reading,

This is the exact system that we have in South Africa, the whole point is that you get more time behind a wheel and are therefore better equipped when you eventually go out on your own.

It does work in most cases, but so often there is a limit to how much you can try to help people and they will always have freedom to be an idiot on the road if they want to.

Regarding the limitation of engine size, I dont believe that this will be helpful. A car that can do a maximum of 60mph, can still do 60mph in a 20 or 30mph zone.

I honestly believe that 12 months behind the wheel before you get your full licence is a good idea, and we can but hope and pray that in that time the kids learn how not to drive and what is the best way to preserve themselves and those around them.

JohnVZ, London, UK

Why not incorporate the Pass Plus course into the main test. My son has just completed this and it included some motorway driving, driving at night, in rain, parking, car parks etc. Having worked to raise the money to pay for his lessons, buy his car, and pay for the insurance (a hefty £2K) I think he will be driving carefully and will cherish his new found freedom.. How many of the accidents quoted were carried out by kids in stolen vehicles, untaxed and uninsured cars or by those whose parents once again had indulged them?
Again, those who play by the rules will be penalised.

Lesley Lant, Sough Woodford, London

Speed cameras seem to have replaced the threat of anyone being caught for bad or dangerous driving, or even for having an unsafe car. the reliance in them could be misguided without a sufficient traffic police back-up to ensure safer driving from everybody.

Andrew, Weymouth, Dorset England

I am 17 and will be taking my test in two weeks time, this is once again an example of the government punishing the majority because of the actions of the minority with yet another piece of legislation showing that they are out of touch with my generation and its culture. If this scheme is introduced, once they have passed many of the young men my age will drive how they want as they allready do having passed, and introducing a compulsory year of driving will have no more effect than further restricting the freedoms of young Britains, discouraging people from learning to drive due to the cost, and making it even harder for 17 year olds to work. Furthermore to Mr Morgan's idea of restricted engines, those of my generation who are driving recklessly generally modify their cars illegally increasing engine power, without telling insurers or dont insure their car at all, there is no way of enforcing an engine restriction upon young drivers as they will allways find a way around

MS, Preston,

The whole car-culture thing has got out of hand and needs to be reined in urgently. I suggest 21 for the driving age (in my day you couldn't even vote until that age) and compulsory re-tests every few years.

Barry, Wallington, UK

this is a complete joke!!! i will be 17 next year and struggle to get around now. i will not be riding a bike until i am 18!!! HUMILIATION!!!

simon, warrington, UK

Absurd, responsibility is not directly linked to age; there are many 14 year olds more mature, more capable than many 25 year olds, who could easily drive safely. This appears to be a government cop out from addressing the very real issue of responsible driving. Shameful.

Farrukh, Woking, UK

Just limit the power available. They do it with bikes, why not cars.

TWest, Northampton,

Here in New Zealand the driving age is Fifteen, one of the lowest in the "Civilised" world. And yes I got my licence at 15, after a couple of months' experience. And we have a rural economy, VERY rural if you go up to the Hokianga with metal (shingle) roads, no tar-seal for mile after mile. Great fun. Just watch the Rally of NZ on telly, and we are ALL rally drivers here, even around the Royal Oak (good Pommie name that) roundabout just up the road, in the middle of Auckland.
I'd rather drive in UK! Most "drivers" here are mere "wheelhands" in my opinion. Our motorway manners would mean instand death in Germany, never mind loss of licence.
Count your blessings. Stay safe!

George Gray, Auckland, New Zealand

Is this for ever were or just Britain? I live in the U.S and i was just wondering if its for here too?

Rebecca, Newtown,

As usual when theres a problem the authorities act around the edge of the problem.
If they were serious about the matter they would not allow anyone under 21 or anyone over 75 to drive on our congested and dangerous roads.
But if they did that there would be an outcry from the usual suspects of the motor lobby,the AA ,RAC,car manufacturers and Jeremy Clarkson et al,but they should be ignored,because lives are more important than self serving interests.

chris dee, london,

It is not youth but inexperience. The sooner you get people driving the better. This will hit people in rural areas who drive to work AND school after 17. As for motorways, these are easier to drive on than country roads. These proposals just don't make sense - we should stop "protecting" people from the full experience of the life let them get stuck in to learn.

Sam, Cambridge,

Can we please distinguish between novice drivers and young people? I may be in a minority but I'm just sitting my driving test now at the grand old age of 29. Should I be put under the same harsh conditions as an 18 year old who has just qualified? I don't see why I should as 30+ year old females are the least accident-prone drivers on the roads (hence companies that specialise in insurance for women like me). Not all of us got around to sitting our test at 17 so either the govt institutes mandatory driving lessons through schools (as in many Scandanavian countries), and thus controls quality and time of testing, or else admits that not all novice drivers are naive teenagers.
Older drivers know the dangers on the roads, appreciate the responsibilities of driving and are likely to have been learning and practising for a longer time. Teenagers cause a lot of accidents due to lower perceptions of risk and thrill-seeking - unfortunately you can't legislate for that.

MB, Edinburgh,

I agree with the proposal whole-heartedly and would even go so far as to say the age should be 21. My son, by the age of 17, had already seen three friends die in road traffic collisions; the oldest being 20 and the youngest just 17. These deaths are senseless and we must do all we can to reduce it.

In anyone's hands a vehicle is a lethal weapon; but more so when the driver is young and inexperienced.

Sue Blackmore, Chatteris, Cambs

This is the first sensible thing concerned with young drivers that has been proposed for a long time. The massacre of young people on our roads is catastrophic, and you only have to see the way some of them drive to know that they do not have any regard for other road users or road conditions. Gangs of young male drivers regularly career around our streets at night, screeching and zig zagging between the parked cars - this is not responsible driving!! Why are they allowed to do it?? Bikes are also used for this end, so it is right to include two wheels. Unfortunately, the irresponsible amongst the younger generation, have messed it up for the few that are, and would be very responsible drivers. It's a sad, but a necessary step to take. The 12 month learning period should help to instill some sort of responsibility - but will it stop these young drivers resisting the urge to put their foot down once they get behind the wheel - even if they are 18?

Christal, London,

What will cut deaths among teenage drivers is harsher penalties for joy riders and other thieves. Penalising the 17 year old who is legitimately driving following a period of instruction is rubbish and more in line with this governments thinking of banning everything they can whenever they can.

Pete, Waddington, England

I assume this legislation will be matched with a corresponding change that enables everyone 18 and under to obtain a childs fare on public transport (e.g. trains)? I won't be holding my breath

Jonathan Freeman, Winchester,

The Nanny State strikes again! So you can marry at 16 but you'll have to to defer your driving honeymoon for two years. How ridiculous. Make testing more stringent, increase random checks on drivers' documents and limit the engine size for new drivers, perpaps, but ministers shouldn't take away the lifeline for rural youngsters if they're not going to provide frequent and reliable public transport in its place. They would do far better to permanently ban those who drive without even bothering to take a test. There are plenty of them careering around and they're undoubtedly responsible for a high proportion of fatalities. One last question; if 27 per cent of male drivers are involved in collisions in their first year of driving and cause so many female deaths, why should female drivers be penalised too?

Diane Bennett, Hong Kong,

Germany discusses lowering it to 17

TomTom, Leeds, England

I think it's a good idea but it would drive(no pun intended) more people towards getting motor bikes/scooters etc which i think is a bigger death trap. To bring it in to line they should raise the age on those as well.

Martyn Lewington, Leighton Buzzard, UK

You only have to look at that 'save up to one thousand deaths' statistic to see that it is made up. That's nearly one third of all road deaths. Don't be ridiculous, DfT! You are discrediting what might be a valuable idea, that requires proper debate based on facts.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

This proposal will do nothing to prevent young drivers having accidents and killing themselves on the roads. The problem lies with them 'chavving up' their cars. There is such a need to drive quickly now most young males buy old beaten up small hatchbacks - Saxos, Clios, Novas etc, bolt on some silly panels and spoilers, a big exhaust, lower it, and tinker with the engine to make it a bit faster. Now this is dangerous on a number of levels, firstly that the car is not designed to be driven at high speed, or indeed crash at high speed, and secondly the young drivers do not have the experience. This behaviour continues not just in teenage years but right up to late 20's.

If the government want to cut road deaths then they should restrict what young drivers can drive, forcing them to buy a car with a 1.2l or smaller engine, and not to allow modifications on the car. Until we deal with the - my car is faster then yours and im going to prove it - culture nothing will improve.

SA, Aberdeen,

Good idea, but without more traffic police to enforce this it is pointless. There are already thousands of unlicensed drivers on the road going unchecked. This will only make that situatuion worse.

Frank, Winchester,

This sounds like a re-run of the handgun ban that was supposed to reduce gun crime. That worked well didn't it.

Steve, Reading, UK

not a bad idea to be honest .. when i first passed my test at 17 i had only a dozen 1hour lessons and was able to demonstrate that i could control a car at 30mph with an instructor beside me before getting let loose on the roads with no limits

a 12 month training perod will benifit those but it should be restricted to 17 year olds it should be wxtened to all wanting to take a uk licence and the test should be based on what you have shown during that period not just a 1 time test when the the pressure will probally lead to mistakes

same goes for alchahol too .. make the limit zero for all drivers ..if you want to drink then dont drive its as simple as that

mick palmer, luton, uk

HOW STUPID. The initial title sounds crazy, but reading further on some of those ideas are quite good. However I can't see the age of 18 making anything better, as all it will do is delay the same result.
(1) The number one problem is attitudes towards driving we have in this country - we all think its a given right and not an earned privaledge. We need to teach new drivers how to behave.

2) A small point is the instructors. Driving in cities + motorways I see too many instructors letting the learner getting away with dangerous mistakes. I know I was pulled up for the most minor mistakes - maybe poor learners would be pulled up too often, as I admit I learnt Very quickly, as I took the whole process seriously. If some of these learners are so poor, why not teach them off road?

3) Why not put a curfew on these youngsters, who only go out late at night to impress mates / girls etc and RACE?

4) put a POWER LIMIT on newlypassed, like with bikes

5) more police cars at night?

Coupe, Midlands, UK

As a 20 year old female, I totally agree. A zero limit of alcohol is essential. i would never get in the car after even a sip of alcohol, it would make me so careless and dangerous. I don't think it is entirely the age of the driver that determines how well they will be able to drive, but also the test. I defiantly don't have enough driving experience even though I've passed my test. Especially when you consider the fact that as soon as you have passed, you are allowed on a motorway, which you have never experienced before.

m, bham,

"I'd set the age to 25 as when a person can start to learn to drive"

This would make it impossible for young people to get to work, go on holiday and actively participate in society. If this is the case perhaps the age at which you start paying tax should be moved to 25 as well, great for people like me in the 40% tax bracket.

Jonathan Freeman, Winchester,

Personally I think it should be raised to 21, my 17 yr old son is busy learning to drive and it fills me with horrors. He wants to pass his test as quickly as possible, having never driven in the dark or in bad weather. And how do these young driivers afford the insurance, more often than not it costs more than the car is worth!!

Chris , Durham, U.K.

It is long overdue to stop the, mainly, young and irresponsible from their frequent dangerous driving. I feel that there should be further tightening of driver training to include a compulsory minimum number of professional lessons, qualified drivers accompanying a learner to have a minimum of 5 years active driving and a clean licence, and the initial driving test pass licence should have an initial 3 year life to be followed by a further driving test. During this 3 years the licence should only permit low powered vehicles to be driven, and in the event of a motoring offence, require an immediate re-test.
The impoortant thing is safety on the road!!!

Chris Goodman, Fareham, UK

Grant - limiting the engine size for new drivers is a very sensible suggestion, as is the zero-alcohol limit.

However, the proposal to prevent new drivers from using motorways is pointless. Firstly, it assumes that all new drivers are 17 and irresponsible. I'm 25 and have recently passed my test, take my responsibility as a driver very seriously, and was told by my instructor that I'm safer than 90% of drivers out there. It wouldn't even be worth owning a car, or being insured on one, if I couldn't drive on motorways. I live in Cambridge, where cycling is a better way of getting around town, so the majority of my driving is medium or long-distance. By preventing motorway driving for the first year of qualification, all you achieve is a growing number of young drivers who will stop driving for a year after passing the test, and then buy a car when it's worthwhile. This won't do anything for their driving skills when they start driving again, and increases their risk of accidents.

Emily, Cambridge,

Rasing the driving age to the same age you can drink, what a great idea!! New drivers will always be inexperienced, no matter what age they can drive. Why not just make the learning experience more comprehensive, how many new drivers know how to recover from a skid or what to do if they have a blow out.

Phil White, Sittingbourne,

Yet another ill conceived knee jerk reaction. I am 53, my children are well into their twenties, so no axe to grind. Of course young drivers have more accidents, they are only just beginning. What are the statisitics for new drivers of all ages? How many of the accidents quoted involved 17 year olds, with a full licence and fully legal vehicle? I suspect many were driving illegally, and raisng the age a year will not stop them. The important thing is increased training, to raise the driving standard, this may mean acceptance that there are some people, of all ages, who are not suitable to drive. (Just as with most activities in life). As with many things I would expect younger drivers to learn quicker than most. Driving needs to be taken seriously by all people of all ages, and not just as a means of getting about.

Neil, Chichester,

We now live in Ontario, Canada where young drivers have to have a minimum of eight months driving experience if they've taken an approved driving course, twelve months otherwise before they are allowed to drive by themselves. This actually means that they can be on the road alone at 16 and eight months but they are far more experienced and better equiped than the average 17 year old with twelve lessons in the UK. There is also zero alcohol allowed until they've been driving for two years and restrictions about the number of minors they may carry at night. Having lived with both systems as a driver and a parent of a young driver I'd suggest that it's not age that makes the difference but driving experience before being allowed to drive solo.

Deborah Keedwell, ottawa, Canada

I turn 17 in a couple of months and am really looking forward to staring to learn to drive and pass my test soon after. This new law would mean that i will not be able to drive to work without someone who is 18 or older in the car...which ruins the freedom the car will give me.

jess, bristol,

Surely it would make sense to limit new drivers to, say, 1100 cc vehicles, as some young drivers seem to be driving powerful cars and sports models. Any law which cuts deaths on the roads must be a good one.

Hilary, Bolton,

The real issue, to me, is more the level of tuition given to learner drivers and the level of competency tested in the exam. This is by no means a slight on driving instructors, more the system we have in place.

I don't see any generic problem with the test age remaining at 17 - after all, a lot of 17 year olds need to drive for work. We should implement a much more stringent test, that at the very least includes motorway driving (which is fundamentally different to other driving). The current exam only tests one's ability to control a car, not how to drive on roads with other road users.

Make the test harder, and most importantly, make every take a re-test every few years (five?).

The 16 year old 'boy' should not be lumped into a category just because of his age - there are plenty of middle age and older drivers who clearly should not be on the roads. If the test was true reflection on one's ability to safely navigate the road network the age limit becomes largely irrelevant.

Nichola Ord, Guildford, UK

Just like for motorbikes, limit the power of the engine they are allowed to drive both as a learner and as a driver. Then, the government can charge them to upgrade to more powerful cars as they get older with new driving tests for each rating - just like they've done for trailers......................another tax on life in this overcrowded isle!

Simon B Wilson, Farnborough,

not before time ! but we should go further , the french have the right idea here full licence at 18 , but a novice sticker to be show the first year with speed restriction at 90kph but provisional licence at 16 !!!! must be accompanied by a driver who has held a full licence for at least 7 [ I think ] years since this came in I have observed that ,because driving is not such a novelty by the time a full licence is obtained , boys tend not to go so mad in the early stages of being let out alone ; also they are much more experienced , hence more capable ...girls tend to have more sense anyway , but we can't have sex discrimination anyway , can we and the zero alcohol /drugs limit is the way to go ; automatic one year ban and a retest sound correct to me

colin grayson, mende, france

This wil not make any diffference to the kids of 14 who steal cars and crash them, killing themselves and their friends.
Best to put more energy into educating the young and teaching the how to drive properly at an early age. In the US they start driving under instruction at the age of 16. That seems to help as they are taught how to drive responsibly at an early age.
My son took driving lessons on the private roads at the TRRL, Wokingham at the age of 16 and learnt how to handle the car properly.
It did not stop a 40 year old man from driving into the back of him on bonfire night. The driver had been distracted by the fireworks. He blamed my son for being there!

Graham, Camberley, UK

Adding an extra year will not help because people do not mature enough to be able to be trusted in 12 months! As Will in London said if anyone passes all of the driving tests then obviously they are fit to drive. Perhaps they should be looking at the content in the tests rather than raising the age. I also don't think that it is just teenage boys, because from what i see it is very easy to see how female drivers have such a bad name for them selves!!

Laura Whittemore, Luton, UK

Another example of pithless nonsense from our nannies in Whitehall. The age of learning to drive should be lowered to 15, taught in school and a final test given at 17 when learners have experience of not only our joke of an ordinary driving test but also motorways, nights and crash avoidance. There should also be a limitation on engine size.

Robert, Perth, Scotland

How about just raising the limit for boys. Then the girls can drive them around safely rather than die as passengers.

david humphries, London,

Some comments. As has been vocally posted on here before although I'd agree with a low alcohol limit and much less drink driving a true "zero" limit is unworkable as there are accuracy issues and many people produce traces of alcohol naturally. Unfortunately raising the age to 18 to stop too many people being on the road won't have much affect. The market has already adjusted with insurance premiums which meant that the number of 17-20 year olds with a full licence declined from about 50 to 30%. So to cut down on the number of drivers on the road the rise in age would have to be much steeper. Moreover people maybe very disappointed that not that many young drivers "vanish" off the road.

Paul, York, UK

As previously commented, surely it would be far more effective in reducing accidents by limiting engine output for novice drivers. Perhaps a limit of 100bhp for the first 3 years of licence held.
It would also be nice if insurance co's showed more social responsibility by not insuring inexperienced drivers for high performance cars. When a premium is based on "when" rather than "if", id be happier if that driver/vehicle was'nt on the road.

Mo, Eltham, England

We've created a society in which it is often essential to have a car to do anything constructive - a lot of non-dead end jobs, taking younger siblings to gymnastics, doing the weekly shop, taking a walk in the country. By excluding teenagers from adult social life we may save a few road traffic accidents, but at a huge price in alienation, drugs, violence.
The real answer of course is to unravel the car economy. Until then, teenagers shouldn't pay the price. How about teaching driving at school now the age is going to be raised to 18? Oh, but that's somethign they actually want to learn.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

This is long overdue but as yet does not go far enough or in right direction even. It is not so much the age that is the problem but the fact that 17 year olds now are much less mature and independent than they were in my days of being 17. Yes they have advanced in every other respect perhaps but not in terms of common sense maturity. I think the following would help;
1. Raise age to 18
2. Limit engine to 1100 cc
3. Make them were "P" plates for 1st year
4. P licence only to be used from say 7.30am until 7.00pm
5. At end of the 1st year make them take test on Motorway and
night driving
6. No opened or unopened cans of drink to be carried in the
car even when parked and if found with drink or drugs in car (whether passengers or driver) then automatically must retake test.

Simon, London, UK

Excellent idea, but will be difficult to put into practice. Judging from the replies so far, the article title seems to have mislead some readers. It's not raising the age, but raising the experience ... "propose a 12-month training period " - emphasis on "training period". In theory it's an excellent idea to give the learner (young or old) as much experience as possible including 4 seasons worth of driving (aswell as the restricted power suggestion and no alcohol restriction). But the main diificulty that most young people will find is finding the money to fund the lessons/tuition.

Good idea in general, but also can't help thinking that it's a money spinner for the organisations involved too...

Sae, Glasgow, UK

my car is an import and has a speed restrictor on it, where in this country are you legally allowed to drive at stupid speeds anyway.
make it mandatory for speed restrictors and zero alchohol, then watch the death rate fall at all ages,

angela, warwickshire, united Kingdom

I live in Essex (maybe it's the same eveywhere) and a lot of young men here seem to drive hot hatches as if they were on a Playstation console instead of a public road. I mean they drive onto roundabouts at 60 miles an hour, weave in and out of traffic at speed, undertake, tailgate and generally behave aggressively to other road users. I do not know if delaying their full license to 18 would help. Many look older than that. Perhaps restricting the engine capacity of the car might. Also it might help if we had more visible traffic police who were willing and able to stop and prosecute these motorists using existing laws. Speed cameras alone won't prevent this kind of driving. It's a symptom of the "me" society. "Nobody else matters but "me", so get out of my way."

Lorna, Southend, Essex, UK

Before all you middle-aged drivers start moaning about the young drivers on the roads you might want to find out which age group have the highest percentage of motorcycle related accidents.

In fact this statistic surely proves that it isn't the age thats a problem but that they are total novices with very little experience. If this is the case surely it is better to actually lower the age they are able to start learning to drive in order to gain experience.

Rod Munch, Northampton, UK

In Switzerland the driving age is 18. My daughter passed her test last year. This involved, whn she was 17, passing the written theory test, a first-aid course and practical training, part of which she had to change a wheel. The actual lessons must be conducted by an approved driving school and include motorway driving. I also was able to let her practice in our car in between lessons. After the licence has been issued she must take two further courses with the TCS, the Swiss AA/RAC, The first within 6 months wich is basically more advanced lessons which include emergency braking and skid-pan techniques. The second within 1 year and covers among other things correct economical gear-changing. Failure to pass either of these courses results in loss of licence,

Alan Webster, Geneva, Switzerland

I am not sure that age should be the arbitrator, there are mature responsible 16 year olds and hopelessly immature 19 year olds. The test should be much harder and include psychological indicators of attitude to various aspects of responsibility on the road.
The current test is far too basic and driver teaching is often of a poor standard. I live near a test centre and learner drivers use the area extensively barely a day goes by without I see quite glaring errors in safe practice being condoned or perpetrated by instructors.
It is regrettable that some form of testing is not proposed throughout a drivers life. Some of the poor driving, perhaps by the lucky fools who didn't kill themselves, could be corrected when they are a little older. Living where I do it is obvious that there are many elderly folk who could also be considered for a test. We will always have poor drivers but lets try to keep them to a minimum.

mike gee, bournemouth, uk

Too soft. The data that I've read about indicate that the group that have most accidents are young men aged 18-25 (although young women are catching up). I'd set the age to 25 as when a person can start to learn to drive. I'd also like to see only certain engine power be available to youngsters for the first few years post test (not engine size since engines can be chipped). Excellent idea about zero alcohol levels. Raising the age when people can drive is also like to reduce congestion - so hardly any students would be allowed to drive for example.

Ian, Bristol,

What is the difference between a seventeen-year-old novice and one aged eighteen?

Alan Challoner, Llanerchymedd, Wales UK

this country is just getting more ridiculous by the day

by changing the driving age it will just cause misery and chaos to many and not just young drivers!

it would also cause so much trouble for those who are already driving at 17

why cant this country by like any other country and stop messing arounf with laws and so on.

LEE, holywell,

I think the fact you refer to yourself as a boy exemplifies why the age should be raised! Boys should not drive cars - it needs more maturity

Simon, Brighton,

this is absolutely ridiculous. i am a 16 year old boy and am very much looking forward to taking my test next year. it should be down to a boy passing a test, if he does, then he is fit to drive, if he doesnt pass, then he can try again and again.

will, london,

Raising the minimum driving age to 18; now that really addresses the traffic accident problem...NOT. When I was guardian for foreign students in UK, I would have them drive a field circuit, usually on wet grass. They only believed it was just not possible to catch a slide when they went through the hedge backwards. Despite the generation gap, the boys accepted most of what I said because I had the experience and could "throw the front", plus show a few left-foot braking techniques. Don't try this down the front drive. Girls were happy enough to start on a ride-on mower, and it did get the grass cut; albeit it in less than straight lines.
Bottom line: Passing the Driving Test just gets you to the start line. Then the real learning starts. Plenty of MOT failures and fields; time to get organised local councils. Could be a nice little earner. “Just sign this waiver.” Personal transport and the freedom to drive anywhere, anytime comes at a price. If you can’t take the heat …

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Judging from what I see now, the age should be 28!

Peter Day, Doncaster, UK

Why not have a cc or performance limit on the cars that newly qualified drivers can use, as in motorcycles.

As it stands now a 17 year old can pass his/her test and go into a car showroom and drive out (money permitting) in a high performance sports car.

Gareth, Port Talbot, uk

I live in an area where numerous deaths of young drivers have hit the headlines in the local media over the past 3 years. Some of those had been old school colleagues my own age and it is made too easy for young people to place themselves and their passengers in danger on the roads.

From that point of view, I welcome the new laws. Many of my friends have written off cars and many have been lucky on at least on occassion not to do more damage than it turns out they had done. The changes proposed would make a great difference. I do believe that a license is in some cases too easily obtained.

However, the new proposals don't go far enough. Limiting the size of engine that a new driver could obtain would further reduce the death toll. Too many young people are able to step over the economic barriers to get high-powered vehicles on the road. Inexperience coupled with the speed at their feet is more often than not a root cause. This would prove far more effective in the short-term.

Grant Morgan, Coleford/Gloucester, UK