Over a quarter of people would support a lower legal driving age, new research finds

Go.Compare car insurance has revealed that more than a quarter of people (28%) would support lowering the legal driving age.*  

The findings from the research, which asked 2,000 people about their thoughts on the legal age of driving, highlight that there is a growing conversation around how and when young people should begin learning to drive, and whether the current system is fit for purpose. It follows the news that more companies are starting to offer driving courses for under-17s.  

While 28% said they would support a lower driving age, over a third (36%) of those who took part said they thought 18 is the most appropriate age for individuals to be legally allowed to learn to drive, meaning an increase in the legal driving age. 

Among those who said they would support a lower legal driving age, the most common reasons included:  

• 46% believing learning earlier could help young people become more responsible  

• 44% saying it would give young people more time to learn before reaching legal adulthood  

• 35% feeling driving sooner would provide greater independence  

• 32% thinking the current system does not adequately prepare young drivers  

Despite this openness to reform, parents remain cautious about introducing driving concepts too early. When asked whether they would be happy for their children to learn the principles of driving before being legally allowed on public roads, just 34% of those surveyed said yes. A majority (55%) said they would prefer their children to wait until they reach the legal age.  

The research suggests that while there is appetite for change, many parents are still wary of introducing driving too early, pointing to concerns around safety, maturity, and readiness.  

Tom Banks, motoring spokesperson at Go.Compare said: “It's clear that many parents can see the benefits of allowing young people to start learning to drive earlier, particularly in terms of building responsibility and confidence over time. However, the hesitation around early exposure shows that safety remains a top priority. While a significant chunk of parents would support a younger age limit, our figures indicate that the majority wouldn’t be ready to see rules change just yet.”  

Recently there have been a number of wider discussions about road safety across all age groups, with some reports calling for the introduction of a maximum driving age, which could potentially see drivers over 80 banned from the roads.  

This follows proposals that motorists aged over 70 may be required to undergo new capability tests as part of a broader government review of road safety legislation.  

To learn more about learning to drive and the current laws, visit here.