The government’s proposals to reform the driving test system may appear daunting for learners but in the long run they could be beneficial, even leading to cheaper car insurance for young drivers. The proposals have been welcomed by the industry, although some believe even more measures are needed to reduce the number of accidents suffered by new and young drivers under the age of 21.

According to the Department of Transport road deaths and serious injuries have fallen by 33% since the mid 1990s, but the casualty rate for young drivers has not changed. One in five people have an accident within six months of passing their test, and another 70% report near misses in the same period. Alongside this newly-qualified drivers and their passengers account for one in five of all car deaths in Britain.

The Government is currently considering ways of creating safer drivers for life by strengthening the current learning and testing procedures and creating a culture or extended and advance learning. Following consultation with young people, employers, driving instructors and the insurance industry it is planning to run a pilot safe road foundation course for under 17 year olds in Scotland this Autumn. This is expected to lead to a qualification that will be available across Great Britain.

For the first time it is also proposing a syllabus to ensure more effective and comprehensive training is offered to learner drivers. This will set out more clearly the necessary steps to driving safely, beginning with the basics of car control, progressing to skills such as driving in difficult weather or at night and culminating in ensuring driver awareness is enhanced, to help novice drivers predict the intentions of other road users. Less emphasis will be placed on mechanical manoeuvres allowing examiners to properly assess the full range of a candidate's abilities.

“We fully support plans to introduce tougher driving tests which should in turn reduce the number of fatalities among young drivers,” comments Ashton Berkhauer, insurance expert at uSwitch.com. “The new test should improve the standard of new drivers on the road, reduce the number of accidents and subsequently lead to cheaper insurance.On average, the under 21s currently pay £1,619 for insurance, so a significant discount on their premiums could counteract the increased cost of learning. We hope the insurance industry gets fully behind this initiative and supports the government by offering reasonable discounts for those who pass.”

Peter Gerrard, Head of Insurance Research at moneysupermarket.com agrees: "With newly qualified drivers facing the highest insurance premiums, any course of action from the government to drive down the cost of cover and reduce accidents and injuries on the road is a step in the right direction.”

Young and newly qualified drivers have long been perceived as high risk by the insurance industry. According to moneysupermarket.com an 18 year old single male driver with a 10 year old Fiesta in Leeds can expect to pay over £3,000 for car insurance. A 21 year old without any driving experience would pay less than £1,700, a saving of over £1,300 just for being three years older.

But, points out Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting at RBS: “Whilst an incentive to take these courses could reduce insurance premiums, we would need to see sustained evidence of improved driving standards and reduced accident rates."

Nick Starling, ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health agrees: "We are pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns, and these proposals are a good first step. However, more action is needed to save young lives, particularly around a structured minimum learning period, and passenger restrictions for young newly qualified drivers. We will work with the Government during the consultation process on measures to ensure that today's young novice drivers become tomorrow's mature motorists."