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#Post#: 114703--------------------------------------------------
A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: astralite
Date: March 28, 2026, 12:32 pm
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The Department for Transport is seeking views on introducing
mandatory requirements that learner drivers must meet (such as
minimum number of hours of tuition/practice) and a minimum time
period between passing a theory test and taking a practical
driving test for a standard car licence.
The aim is to introduce a structured approach that gives
learners more time to increase their competence and experience
before taking a test.
The associated questionnaire also poses the question as to
whether mandatory requirements should also apply to those who
lose their licenses?
The consultation closes on 11 May 2026.
HTML https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-a-minimum-learning-period-for-learner-drivers
#Post#: 114721--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: andy_foster
Date: March 28, 2026, 7:22 pm
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The idea of having to jump through hoops before you can have the
opportunity to prove that you are competent to drive seems to be
devoid of merit, assuming that guaranteeing more business for
driving schools is not in and of itself meritorious.
#Post#: 114818--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: March 30, 2026, 6:58 am
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Like most things driving well takes experience, such as
situational awareness of where the car is on the road, how wide
it is, how to control it to conditions etc.
See also becoming an airline pilot.
#Post#: 114823--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: andy_foster
Date: March 30, 2026, 7:46 am
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Haven't read the consultation - recently read the consultation
on motorcycle learners, which was basically, "here's what we've
already decided we're going to do to make minor tweaks, ignoring
the obvious change which could actually make a big improvement,
now please tell us what you think, preferably agreeing with us
via the yes ladder, or not because we've already made our minds
up". Don't expect this to be much different, other than that
learning to drive a car does not have a so-called "progressive"
route.
If there is to be a mandatory minimum flying hours requirement,
that would be a minimum number of professional driving lessons.
How many hours of lessons did Maureen from Driving School have?
Did that make her a good driver? If a candidate is taught to
drive by his Dad, who happens to be a Police Class 1 driver, how
many paid lessons would he need in order to demonstrate that he
had reached the required standard?
Assuming that the standard driving test is "fit for purpose"
(perhaps a bit of a stretch, but if not, perhaps the
consultation has identified the wrong problem and decided upon
the wrong solution), it determines whether or not the candidate
has reached the standard of competence appropriate to be
licenced to drive solo as a fully qualified driver. Does any of
this make the blindest bit of difference if you are from a
culture where your cousin takes your driving test for you, and
the examiners are told to keep quiet?
What is the problem that putting roadblocks in the way of the
candidate having the opportunity to demonstrate his competence
seeks to solve?
N.B. Becoming an airline pilot is a very different proposition.
There will always be a balance between safety (ensuring a high
level of competence) and the practicalities of training.
However, it does serve to highlight the biggest reason that the
standard of driving on the roads is so poor - drivers are not
subject to periodic re-testing or re-training.
Appropriate testing, and periodic re-testing are (or would be) a
very good thing. Mandatory commercial training, regardless of
the candidates current level of competence, not so much.
If you need training to pass the test, you need training to pass
the test. If you don't need training to pass the test, why
require training to take the test?
#Post#: 116520--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: Plywood-Enthusiast
Date: April 20, 2026, 11:36 pm
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Driving lessons seems so expensive these days, £30 an hour.
I think if the instructor believes the student is ready for
their test, they should be the best mentor for the student. They
cant stop the student from taking the test too early. But they
wont allow their vehicle to be used if the student is completely
unlikely to pass. Students coming through the professional
tuiton route are vetted informally for their suitability for the
test. It would be just excessive beauracracy for these learner
drivers.
I think the current system works fine with students under
professional tuition. But maybe drivers taught by family need
the minimum terms. But how do you enforce this.
I rarely come across issues with p plate drivers on the road.
They just drive very slow and taken more time to make decisions
and figure out what lane to be in. Its those drivers who are
overconfident in their abilities that are a problem on the road.
#Post#: 116614--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: roythebus
Date: April 21, 2026, 1:18 pm
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maybe we should adopt the German system where a new driver has
to do so many hours of theory and driving on private roads
before being allowed on public roads.
#Post#: 116621--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: andy_foster
Date: April 21, 2026, 1:43 pm
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Learner motorcyclists already have to complete Compulsory Basic
Training before they can otherwise* ride on the road. This
requirement is intended to mitigate the issue that learner
riders do not have a supervisor sat immediately to their left,
so they have to complete a basic training course to ensure a
minimum level of competence in a sterile environment (a coned
off car-park) before being assessed riding back to the training
centre, and given a chit enabling them to ride on the road
generally.
The Germans have a solution to some as yet unspecified problem.
Being German it is probably very efficient. And expensive. Are
supervised learner car drivers with little to no driving
experience a significant problem? The obvious solution to the
issue of learner car drivers starting off with little to no
driving experience is to require them to display L plates and to
be supervised by a qualified driver aged over 21 with at least 3
years driving experience sat in the front passenger seat, and
able to grab the wheel, or otherwise take over the driving if it
becomes necessary.
The solution of "more training" across the board, before the
learner is allowed an opportunity to demonstrate whether he has
reached the required level of competence would mostly only be a
solution to a shortage of driving examiners/test appointments if
the government itself had not reached any discernable level of
competence.
*The CBT includes an element of road riding.
#Post#: 116622--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: April 21, 2026, 1:47 pm
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--- Quote ---
> Being German it is probably very efficient.
--- End Quote ---
Being German it is probably very bureaucratic.
#Post#: 116674--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: Plywood-Enthusiast
Date: April 22, 2026, 6:30 am
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the really dodgy driving I have witnessed on the roads, is not
from newly passed uk drivers.
I suspect a lot of them are foreign drivers who passed in their
country and got the license and are now eligible to drive in UK
using their foreign license for 12 months before they are
required to pass a UK test.
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSpvLBzoAGg
5 minute test in
india.
#Post#: 117938--------------------------------------------------
Re: A minimum learning period for learner drivers - Gov.UK
consultation
DIR By: astralite
Date: May 6, 2026, 10:54 am
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The Department for Transport’s consultation on minimum number of
hours tuition etc for learner drivers closes on 11 May 2026. So
just a few days left to take a look and have your say about:
Introducing a minimum number of supervised practical driving
hours.
Creating a mandated learning syllabus.
The ways that any required learning could be conducted.
HTML https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-a-minimum-learning-period-for-learner-drivers
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