UK Driving Age May Rise and Drink Drivers Targeted

The government are set to increase the the minimum driving age in the UK. Currently the minimum legal age to drive in the UK is 17. The proposal from them is a 12 month probation period for new drivers, so basically a 17 year old would not be able to hold a full driving licence until they are 18. There are no plans at present to introduce an upper driving limit.

A zero alcohol limit is also set to come into force for newly-qualified drivers for a 12 month period any new driver found with alcohol in their blood will be forced to retake their driving test. Motorway driving is also on the agenda and could well be restricted to more experienced drivers.

The Driving Standards Agency will present a consultation document containing all new plans this October.

Here at the Bill Plant Driving School we know that driving is not just a fun activity but that it must be done in responsible way.

Published by admin on August 22nd, 2007 in UK Driving News

21 Responses to “UK Driving Age May Rise and Drink Drivers Targeted”

  1. Matt Lewis wrote

    August 22nd, 2007 at 8:11 pm

    When is this new law likely to come into force? I suppose if the DSA are just presenting their case in October it could be a while yet before it is law. The plans I thing are a good idea and will hopefully reduce the number of accidents and road deaths of young drivers.

  2. admin wrote

    August 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 am

    Hi Matt,

    Thanks for your comment. It’s likely that the new law will come into effect sooner rather than later. Whilst it is indeed just a proposal at the moment we suspect that it will be met with immediate approval.

    We agree that anything helping to reduce deaths on the road has to be a good thing, although we do also recognise that younger drivers may well feel frustration at the proposed new ruling.

  3. Josh wrote

    September 26th, 2007 at 7:43 pm

    I think it is stupid, it will make young people illegally drive, and yes it is frustrating, im 15 and can drive a car fine on and of the road.

  4. Corey wrote

    September 27th, 2007 at 2:35 pm

    if this driving age goes up to 18? would it include for people who are a few months away from turning 17? i will be turning 17 in may 2008 and i dont think it would be fair to make me wait another year when i’ve only got a few months left. i think it should happen but it should exclude every1 who is already 16.

  5. BenJ wrote

    September 29th, 2007 at 6:25 pm

    i agree with Corey..i am goin to be 17 in feb 2008 and it is unfair if i now have to wait another year before i can drive. Whats to stop 18 year olds driving crazily as soon as they pass their tests anyway?

  6. Louise A wrote

    October 3rd, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    I will be 17 in March 2008 and am overly excited (i’ve been counting down since 60 weeks). You may find this sad, but living in a rural area with a limited bus service (or doesnt exist on Sundays) it isnt exactly cool for your parents to drive you about. Driving should be allowed at 16, as with voting. I mean, when you’re 16, legally you can pay tax but can’t vote on what government that tax is paid to. You can also get married, but now you cant smoke or drink at your wedding. If the driving age is raised to 18, people are not going to drive, they are going to drink. Or a mixture-which isn’t a good cocktail now is it?

  7. jolly boy wrote

    October 4th, 2007 at 12:59 pm

    this is one of the most stupid laws there is if this comes into action on jan 2008 that means i only have like 3 months to pass as i am 17 this month therefor i think that all people that are 17 before 2009 should be able to drive and from then on it should be changed if at all

  8. Lewis wrote

    October 7th, 2007 at 1:14 am

    What nonsense, increasing the driving age ? why don’t you cut all independence from the youth, driving is to be seen as freedom, independence finding your self, i mean look if you raise the driving age to 18, people will drink drive obviously because there legal to drink, how will all the 17 year olds get to work, get to college, why doesn’t the government stop fucking around with new laws and just run the country, their will always be accidents, deal with it. the law has always been 17, now you want to change it, stop being so ridiculous. im 15 i know how to drive a car, my dad is a instructor. all it will do is create a large uprising of frustrated youths, you really think were going to vote for someone who completely fucked us over ? i think not.

  9. Jonny wrote

    October 10th, 2007 at 9:57 pm

    Motorway driving is also on the agenda and could well be restricted to more experienced drivers.

    – haha ridiculous. young people arent safe on the motorway, lets put them down small country lanes instead ;) i mean come on now, thats a ridiculous idea.. they’d never be able to stop people driving on the motorway!
    i’m 17 in april 2008 so hopefully no new law is passed until.. june hehe

  10. hannah wrote

    November 23rd, 2007 at 9:57 am

    omg i agree dis law is crazy!? what’s a year make? it’s not just young people who drive bad it’s bloody old people!! how are we ment to get to work collage scholl ect.? the goverment needs to stop making laws just to look like they are doing something. They obvisely dont understand the youth because if they did they would now who much frustration and anger this law will cause. Driving is essential to me cuz i lkive in the middle of now where and need to get to my job n school, if they bring in this new age law I won’t be able to pass for another year what I am ment to do den?!! they need to think about things and stop blaming the youth for all the problems

  11. Paula wrote

    February 9th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    I’m 16 and i am desperate to drive! I turn 17 in August and can’t wait to learn to drive but feel so disappointed that they might be putting the age up to 18! I think this is really unfair to all the people who want to drive responsibly but can’t because young people are being blamed for so many accidents. It could happen to anyone.

  12. Alex wrote

    March 16th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    This news has come as a major shock to me as i am 16, and my birthday is little over a month away. Ever since i was young all ive ever wanted to do is have my liscence and that freedom that comes with driving. I will be devistated if this comes into action and I am forced to wait for another year. In all honesty I think we young people have once again become victims of discrimination, not every young person is a dangerous driver. Once again we are all tarnished with the same brush.

  13. Annie wrote

    March 21st, 2008 at 1:50 am

    There is no point raising the age now at least do it for the new year it is so unfair to people that are 16 turning 17 this year, why should it effect us?
    It doesn’t matter on the bloody age of the driver it simply matters on the person. Its annoying to keep hearing these stupid rumors at least give us a set date, everyone is un aware of everything it gets mentioned in the papers now and again but thats no sort of confirmation.
    the gorvenment is shit money grabbers 500 hours ??? thats a whole years worth of lessons ranging anything from £20-£28 …will the gorvenment be paying for that?.. thats a money making scheme this country make pointless laws (to find more ways of making money) i think they don’t like the youth bare in mind we’re not the only ones on the road! if the gorvenment were trying to sort out road saftey they wouldn’t still issue 17 year olds with provisionals.. you can still crash a car with someone being with you?…it all don’t make sense to me if the law is to change at least start a new law..with a new year thats just being logical..

  14. John Mcpherson wrote

    April 3rd, 2008 at 1:04 am

    The New Driving Age Comes Into Force In 22nd May 2008 it was announced today, Good Luck people

  15. sabiah wrote

    June 5th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    i’m 16 my d.o.b is 12-01-1992!! so does that mean i can not actually drive till am 18??? i dont really understand all this stuff!!!!

  16. lewis wrote

    July 1st, 2008 at 12:39 am

    i think its a joke, it doesnt matter how old you are it matters who you are. If you choose to drive like an idiot you can choose at any age not just in your teens

  17. lewis wrote

    July 1st, 2008 at 12:41 am

    plus, my date of birth is 17-3-1992. ive been so looking forward to drving and now im confused about when i will be on the road! help!

  18. laura wrote

    July 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    my date of birth is 26-04-1992 and i’ve been dying to drive since i was 11 years old!!! I couldn’t agree more with all the comments made above - this is unfair on us teens!
    I am totally confused as to this law and if it’s been made offical - i haven’t heard anything on the news, radio or newspaper about this? Can some one please tell me when i’ll actually be allowed to fully drive?

  19. Hannah wrote

    August 17th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    when is the driving age limit being risen? like, on an offical basis? im 4/3/1992, will this new law have an effect on me?

  20. nimisha wrote

    August 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    does this effect people born in 1991 or 1992 because me andmy sister are 13 months apart so will she have to wait another year to drive?
    my birthdai is 8/11/1991 hers is 21/12/1992 i turn 17 in 4 months and am so exited but my sister is really annoyed that she her
    may have to wait. it really isnt fair on her

  21. Andy wrote

    September 14th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    Its so frustrating, why can’t they penalise the people that drive irrisponsively? not the people that want to learn! the motorway part also suggests newly qualified drivers can’t do the pass plus. I’m 16, dying to be able to drive, but because I’ve got an august birthday, I have to wait a year longer than all my friends before I even start, its not about age, its about skill.

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