This consultation ended 31 March 2026.
Reviewing responses
The responses to this consultation are currently being reviewed. Details of the outcome will be published here in due course.
Original consultation
Seeks feedback on proposals to introduce a minimum time period between passing a driving theory test and taking a practical driving test.
Consultation description
The Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking views on introducing a minimum time period between passing a theory test and taking a practical driving test.
The consultation covers driving tests taken for a category B licence, the standard licence used to operate a car.
Currently, a learner driver may apply for a practical driving test as soon as they get a provisional licence and pass the theory test.
Without enough time spent driving, many learners face situations and conditions on the road that they have no experience with, due to a lack of practice.
The aim is to introduce a structured approach that gives learners more time to increase their competence and experience before taking a test.
The consultation also invites views on:
- introducing a minimum number of supervised practical driving hours
- creating a mandated learning syllabus
- the ways that any required learning could be conducted
This consultation is being held on gov.uk