Action around the world
How countries across the globe are reducing crashes involving young novice drivers
Great Britain
In Great Britain, individuals can begin learning to drive a car from the age of 17, once they have a provisional driving licence. Learning to drive involves gaining practical skills, developing road awareness, and preparing for both theory and practical tests.
Learning to drive in Great Britain
The process involves:
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Applying for a provisional driving licence
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Meeting eyesight and legal requirements
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Studying the Highway Code and taking lessons
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Passing a two-part theory test (including hazard perception)
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Taking the practical driving test (current pass rate: 47%)
Research shows that newly qualified drivers are at greater risk of collisions. Great Britain currently uses a single-phase licensing model. In contrast, some countries have introduced Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) systems aimed at reducing collision risk among novice drivers. (Source: RAC Foundation, 2013)
Restrictions on newly qualified drivers
Under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, new drivers in Great Britain:
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Have a two-year probation period after passing the test
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Face licence revocation if they receive six or more penalty points
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Must retake both theory and practical tests to regain a full licence
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Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the learning process is broadly similar to that in Great Britain, Northern Ireland applies additional post-test safety measures to help reduce collision risk among newly qualified drivers.
Learning to drive in Northern Ireland
The learning process is broadly the same as in Great Britain, involving theory and practical tests, legal requirements, and driving lessons to build skills and experience (see above).
Restrictions on newly qualified drivers
Newly qualified drivers in Northern Ireland are required to:
Display red ‘R’ plates (Restricted driver plates) for 12 months after passing test
Adhere to a maximum speed limit of 45 mph while displaying ‘R’ plates
These measures have been in place since 2001 to encourage safer driving in the early stages of independent driving.
Plans to introduce Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL)
Northern Ireland is preparing to introduce a more comprehensive GDL system. The legal basis is set out in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (NI) 2016, which includes proposals such as:
A mandatory minimum learning period
Passenger restrictions for newly qualified drivers during high-risk hours
Learner training programmes and use of a logbook
Updates to the practical driving test
A public consultation took place between November 2017 and January 2018, and the Department for Infrastructure is continuing work to implement these measures.
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Australia
Australia has implemented Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) systems across all states and territories since the early 2000s. These systems are designed to help young and novice drivers gain experience in low-risk conditions before progressing to a full licence.
Key features of GDL in Australia
GDL schemes in Australia vary slightly by state and territory, but most share key features aimed at supporting novice driver safety:
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Minimum learner age: 16-years-old
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Supervised driving requirement: Learners must complete 50 to 120 hours of supervised driving, including a set number of hours at night
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Licence stages and holding periods:
- Learner stage: <ust be held for at least 12 months
- Provisional stage 1 (P1): Must be held for 1 year before P2
- Provisional stage (P2): Must be held for 1 to 3 years before full licence -
Zero alcohol limit: All learner and provisional drivers must have a blood alcohol level (BAC) of zero when driving
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Driving restrictions for new drivers:
- Zero alcohol limit: Learner and provisional drivers must have a blood alcohol level (BAC) of zero when driving
- Lower demerit point thresholds: Learner and provisional drivers have stricter limits on traffic offences before facing licence penalties
- No phone use: Learner and provisional drivers must not use a phone while driving, including handsfree
- Night and passenger restrictions: P1 drivers may be restricted from driving late at night or carrying multiple passengers
The Effectiveness of GDL in Australia
Research shows that GDL has led to significant crash reductions:
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In New South Wales, a 55% reduction in fatal crashes among probationary drivers followed the strengthening of GDL restrictions
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In Victoria, GDL has contributed to a 31% reduction in crashes involving 18 to 20-year-olds
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Canada
Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) systems have been in place across all Canadian provinces and territories since the 1990s. Their purpose is to help new drivers build experience gradually in lower-risk conditions before gaining full driving privileges.
Key features of GDL in Canada
Canada’s Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) programmes vary by province and territory, but most follow a similar structure with two or three stages. Common features include:
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Minimum learning age: 16-years-old
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Staged licensing system:
- Learner stage: Requires passing a written knowledge test and driving under supervision. Some provinces also require the learner to pass a vision test
- Intermediate or provisional stage: Allows unsupervised driving with conditions
- Full licence: Granted after meeting experience requirements and passing final road test -
Holding periods: Learners typically hold each stage for 12 to 24 months before progressing. In some provinces a stage can be shortened if the learner takes a driving course
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Zero alcohol requirement: All learner and provisional drivers must have a blood alcohol level of zero
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Night-time driving restrictions: Often restrict driving after midnight for novice drivers
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Passenger limits: Restrictions on the number or type of passengers, especially for young drivers
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Minimum full licence age: Usually 18 or 19-years-old, depending on the province
The Effectiveness of GDL in Canada
Since its introduction, GDL has led to significant safety improvements for young and novice drivers across Canada. Studies show that deaths among drivers aged 16 to
19-years-old have fallen by 83%.
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New Zealand
New Zealand introduced Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) in 1987, becoming one of the first countries to adopt a structured approach to licensing new drivers. The system helps young and novice drivers gain experience gradually, reducing crash risk during the highest-risk early years of driving.
Key features of GDL in New Zealand
New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System follows a three-stage process designed to help novice drivers gain experience under lower-risk conditions. Key features include:
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Minimum learning age: 16-years-old
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Three-stage licensing system:
- Learner licence: Requires passing a theory test and driving under supervision with ‘L’ plates
- Restricted licence: Allows unsupervised driving between 5 am and 10 pm, with passenger restrictions
- Full licence: Granted after passing a practical test and meeting experience or course requirements -
Holding periods: Minimum 6 months (learner), 12 months (restricted) or 6 months with a defensive driving course
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Zero alcohol requirement: All drivers under 20 must maintain a zero blood alcohol level
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Night-time driving restrictions: Restricted licence holders cannot drive between 10 pm and 5 am unless supervised
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Passenger limits: Restricted licence holders may not carry passengers without a supervisor, with limited exceptions
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Minimum full licence age: 18, or 17½ with a defensive driving course
The Effectiveness of GDL in New Zealand
Following the introduction of GDL, New Zealand saw a 23% reduction in injury collisions among 15 to 19-year-olds, with crash reductions observed across all age groups.
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United States
Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) systems have been implemented in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia since 1996. These systems are designed to reduce crash risk by allowing new drivers to gain experience gradually, with restrictions in place during the highest-risk early stages of driving.
Key features of GDL in the USA
GDL programmes in the United States vary by state, most follow a three-stage approach to gradually introduce young drivers to higher-risk driving situations. Common features include:
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Minimum learning age: Typically 16-years-old
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Three-stage licensing system:
- Learners' permit: Requires passing a written knowledge test and driving under supervision with a fully licensed adult
- Intermediate (provisional) licence: Allows limited unsupervised driving, often with night-time and passenger restrictions
- Full licence: Issued once the driver meets experience and testing requirements, typically at age 18 -
Holding periods: A minimum of six months is usually required before progressing from the learner stage
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Night-time driving restrictions: Often prohibit unsupervised driving between 11pm and 5am during the intermediate stage
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Passenger limits: Typically restrict young drivers to carrying no more than one young passenger without adult supervision
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Minimum full licence age: Generally 18-years-old
The Effectiveness of GDL in the USA
GDL programmes in the US have led to substantial safety improvements for young drivers:
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In New Jersey, where the minimum licensing age is 17, GDL was associated with a 14% reduction in all collisions and a 25% reduction in fatal collisions among 17-year-old drivers (Graduated Driver Licensing Research, 2007–Present: A Review and Commentary, Williams & Shults)
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Stronger GDL laws are consistently linked to greater reductions in fatal crashes involving 15 to 17-year-olds