Strong public support for phased licensing to protect young drivers, new research shows
- Rebecca Morris
- Nov 3
- 2 min read
New research has revealed overwhelming public backing for stronger measures to make Britain’s roads safer - including the introduction of a phased licensing system for new drivers.
Commissioned by The Road Safety Trust and conducted by research organisation More in Common, the poll found that 72% of Britons support the introduction of Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) - a system that allows new drivers to build experience and skills under lower-risk conditions before gaining full driving privileges.
Despite growing concern about young driver and passenger safety, the UK remains one of the few high-income nations without a GDL system. The government is not currently expected to include it in its forthcoming National Road Safety Strategy - the first such strategy in a generation.
A clear public mandate for action
The findings, unveiled by the Road Safety Trust’s Director of Communications and Engagement, Paul Steinberg, at the UKROEd/NPCC Roads Policing Conference (22 October 2025), show that the British public is ready for evidence-based action to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
“For years, we have understood from experience and evaluation what works to make roads safer,” said Paul Steinberg. “What is new today is clear, nationwide evidence that the public supports those same measures. More in Common’s findings come at an important moment, as the Government prepares to publish its long-awaited National Road Safety Strategy. They show a willing public and clear opportunity for action.”
Public believes young drivers need more protection
The research found that almost half of Britons (48%) believe too little is being done to protect young drivers, rising to 58% among parents of teenagers. While fewer young people themselves share this view, the evidence shows that novice drivers face a disproportionately high risk of being involved in fatal and serious collisions.
Graduated Driving Licensing systems have been proven internationally to reduce young driver crashes by up to 40%. Under GDL, restrictions are introduced in stages - such as limits on carrying young passengers, night-time driving and mandatory supervised driving periods - before full licensure is granted.
Road safety: a shared national concern
More than four in five Britons (86%) say road safety is an important national issue, with strong support across age and political groups. Majorities also backed other evidence-led measures including:
Mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70 (82%)
Lowering the drink-drive limit (71%)
Tougher car safety standards (68%)
A ‘Vision Zero’ target of no deaths or serious injuries (64%)
The research reinforces what many road safety experts and campaigners have long called for: that Graduated Driving Licensing should be a central part of the UK’s strategy to reduce the tragic toll of young lives lost on the roads.
About the research
The polling was undertaken by More in Common using an online panel between 3–6 October 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 2,003 GB adults. Full data tables can be viewed here.
