Over one million new drivers are expected to join UK roads this year, prompting urgent calls for stronger road safety measures for young and new motorists.
The Government has launched new proposals for tougher road rules and requirements for learner drivers, which could represent one of the most significant changes to the UK driving licence system in decades.
The Department for Transport introduced a new consultation on a mandatory waiting period between passing a theory test and taking a practical driving test for category B car licences.
The measures, which form part of the Road Safety Strategy, aim to give learners more time to develop the skills and experience needed to drive safely before they are allowed to take their test.
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Gumtree reported that 953,010 practical driving tests were passed last year, marking the highest number since 2008.
This activity has also carried into the new year, with January seeing test passes up 17 per cent compared with the same month last year.
According to the online marketplace, nearly 10 million views were recorded on cars priced under £5,000 in the opening weeks of 2026, with enquiries and replies to listings up 25 per cent in January compared with December.
Louis Maxwell, motoring expert at Gumtree, said: "Demand for sub‑£5,000 vehicles is incredibly strong, creating real opportunity not just for buyers, but for sellers too."
Young drivers will face a mandatory minimum learning period before they can take their practical test under measures included in the Road Safety Strategy | PAThe data highlighted clear preferences among first‑time buyers, with the most viewed brands under £5,000 in the first 40 days of 2026 being Ford and Vauxhall.
Smaller, practical hatchbacks also piqued interest among young drivers, with the top viewed models including the Vauxhall Corsa and the Ford Fiesta.
Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated in January that "learning to drive is a huge moment in a young person's life, but that freedom comes with responsibility."
Research shows that 273 people aged 17 to 24 were killed in collisions involving young car drivers in 2024.
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The new driving licence proposals hope to reduce fatalities on UK roads
| GETTYAlthough the number of deaths in this age group has decreased over the decade from 448 in 1990 to 73 in 2024, young drivers were still found to be at a higher collision risk than older drivers.
The DfT reported that while drivers aged 17 to 24 make up just six per cent of licence holders, they were involved in 24 per cent of fatal and serious road collisions in 2024.
Currently, in the UK, once a learner passes the theory test, they can book and take a practical driving test with no minimum preparation period.
Also under consideration by the Government is a plan to bring in a learning syllabus to ensure learners gain experience in night driving, varied road types, and different weather conditions.
Learner drivers have been forced to wait months for a driving test | PAMeanwhile, the Government will consult on requiring mandatory e-learning modules to address mobile phone use, drink and drug driving, and peer pressure.
Ministers argued that allowing learners more practice could help them build confidence before they begin driving independently.
The consultation opened in January and will run until May 11, with responses helping inform whether the Government implements mandatory changes for learners.