The Government has unveiled new proposals on improving the safety and reducing risks to young drivers at a summit for the motor insurance industry, hosted by the Department for Transport.
A green paper looking at a range of options for improving the safety of newly-qualified drivers will be published later in the spring. The proposals being considered include:
• a minimum learning period before candidates are permitted to sit their test,
• enabling learner drivers to take lessons on motorways, and perhaps during adverse weather conditions or during darkness to encourage greater practice prior to taking a test,
• increasing the existing probationary period from two to three years for a new driver’s licence to be revoked if they receive six or more penalty points,
• making the driving test more rigorous to better prepare learners to drive unsupervised, and
• incentives for young drivers to take up additional training after passing their test.
A number of changes have already been implemented to address a range of concerns relating to motor insurance. These include:
• banning ‘referral fees’ paid between lawyers, insurers, claims firms, garages and others trading in profitable accident claims, also from April,
• banning claims firms from offering upfront cash incentives or other gifts to people who bring claims to them, from April. Recommend a friend deals will also be banned, and
• tackling whiplash claims – the Ministry of Justice has consulted on proposals including setting up independent medical panels to improve injury assessment and increasing the small claims court limit so more questionable claims can be challenged by insurers.