Scottish Ministers Seek Powers for Graduated Driving Licences
Scottish ministers have urged the UK government to grant them authority to impose restrictions on newly licensed young drivers as part of efforts to reduce road fatalities.
The proposed graduated driving licences would limit factors such as night driving and the number of passengers that new drivers can carry.
Data from Transport Scotland indicates that between 2020 and 2024, car users aged 16 to 22 experienced significantly higher casualty rates compared to older age groups.
The UK government has expressed its commitment to young driver safety but has opted against implementing "blanket restrictions" on new drivers.
While considering minimum learning periods before taking driving tests, the UK government’s approach has been criticized by Scottish ministers as insufficient to address the issue.
"Its plans do not go far enough as it does not commit to wider post-test measures to safeguard young and novice drivers,"said a Scottish government spokesperson.
"As such, we continue to press for powers to allow us to take further action to enhance young driver safety, including the delivery of national behaviour change campaigns focused on young drivers."
The Scottish government highlighted that graduated licences have been internationally proven to "help save lives and cut serious injuries."
A leaked memo obtained by the Herald newspaper suggested that the plans might include mandatory "P" plates and stricter drink-driving regulations for new drivers.
Call for Tighter Restrictions Following Tragic Loss
Alan Knox is among those advocating for stricter measures. His 16-year-old son, Lewis Knox, was killed in a car crash in the Highlands in August 2025.
Lewis, along with his friends Fergus Ward and Jordan Cameron, both aged 17, died when their vehicle left the road on the A830 between Mallaig and Arisaig.
Speaking on Radio Scotland Breakfast, Knox, a paramedic by profession, expressed his support for graduated driving licences, including a ban on new drivers carrying young passengers for a period after passing their test.
"When you've got a car full of youngsters in that age group of 17 to 24-year-olds - particularly males - then you've got peer pressure added to the driver,"he said.
Knox noted that distractions such as conversation and music can affect new drivers, who also lack experience driving at night, on rural roads, and in adverse weather conditions.
"I would like to see it for a year, six months is better than nothing... just to allow them just to gain that little bit more experience."
"Some see graduated licences as 'restrictions on young people', but graduated licences would help 'protect them and other road users as well'."
New Graduated Driving Licence Rules in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is set to become the first part of the UK to introduce graduated driving licences with new regulations coming into effect in October.
The reforms will implement a system similar to those in countries such as Australia, the United States, and the Republic of Ireland.
These measures will apply to all new drivers but primarily target those aged between 17 and 23, who statistically face higher risks on the roads.
Under the new rules, new drivers in Northern Ireland must wait at least six months after obtaining a provisional licence before taking a driving test, except for carers.
They will also be required to complete 14 training modules, which must be signed off by an approved instructor or a qualified supervising driver, such as a parent or .
The "restricted period" following passing the test will be extended from 12 to 24 months, during which new drivers must display an 'R' plate, with a different colour used during the first six months.
For the initial six months, drivers aged up to 24 will be limited to carrying one passenger aged 14 to 20 between 23:00 and 06:00, with exemptions for immediate family members or when accompanied by an experienced driver.
Violations of these restrictions could result in three penalty points or a fine of up to £1,000.
UK Government Response
A UK government spokesperson stated:
"We want to keep young people safe while supporting their access to work, education and social opportunities.
That's why we're not introducing blanket restrictions on new drivers, such as limits on passengers or night time driving.
Instead, we're focusing on better preparation before the test and have recently consulted on a minimum learning period."
