According to the BBC, Northern Ireland will be the first region in the UK to implement a tiered licensing system for young drivers preparing for driving tests, in an effort to reduce the number of fatal traffic accidents involving young people. This system includes a six-month waiting period before taking the practical test, as well as restrictions on night driving and passenger capacity.
For those wondering if the new system will likely reduce fatal accidents, the answer is unlikely. The high rate of fatal accidents among young people isn’t due to ignorance or insufficient learning, but rather to their impulsiveness and expectation of immediate results. Driving fast is a passion or a lifestyle for many young people. Making it harder for young people to get their licenses only means prolonging the time before they have fatal accidents. Even a two-stage license won’t make them professional drivers anyway.
Meanwhile, driving candidates who have passed the theory tests continue to wait for months across the UK. Drivers who pass the written exam wait 6 to 9 months before taking the practical test. Because of this, a new profession has emerged. Some shrewd individuals monitor the DVLA website, identify available dates, and reserve slots for prospective drivers for £100. They are constantly on the screen, instantly identifying drivers who cancel their practical tests and replacing them with their own candidates. The fee starts at £100.
It would be good if the DVLA found a solution to this as well.