In this report we explore what people think about the driver licensing system. We wanted to find out whether people support stronger licensing to help young, newly qualified drivers gain skills and experience gradually, while protecting against some of the biggest risks like driving at night or with same-age passengers.
Brake commissioned market research company OnePoll to conduct an online survey among 3,000 UK adults in July 2025. The respondents were nationally representative of the general population across age, gender and region.
Key findings:
- 35% of people have been in a crash involving a young driver, or know someone who has
- 54% of 18- to 24-year-olds have been in a crash involving a young driver, or know someone who has
- 77% support a stronger driver licensing system in Britain
- 72% think strengthening the driver licensing system is essential to save lives
- 89% agree that all road users should be protected from known risks
- 68% want their MP to do more to reduce the risk of crashes involving young drivers.
The report hits home that this isn’t something that just happens to other people. More than a third (35%) of respondents told us they have been in a road collision involving a vehicle driven by a young driver, or know someone who has. That number increases to a staggering 54% among 18- to 24-year-olds.
The impact reaches far and wide and is a cause of societal anxiety. More than half (59%) of all respondents said they worry that they or someone they love could be involved in a crash with a young driver.
Our research also reveals that there is widespread public support for change. More than three-quarters (77%) of people support changes to the driver licensing system to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers.
Crucially, 79% of people think the Government has a responsibility to prevent future deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving young drivers. And two-thirds (68%) said they would like their MP to do more to reduce the risk of crashes involving young drivers.
Public opinion is on our side. It’s time for the Government to listen, step up and take action to tackle unacceptable death and injury.
Ross Moorlock, CEO, Brake
Brake calls on the Government to listen to the compelling evidence brought together in the Young Driver Safety report and commit to reforming the driver licensing system in Britain.
We appeal to everyone – young people, parents, educators, all road users and road safety industry stakeholders – to join us and demand that the Government takes firm action to save lives.
You have until 11.59pm on Monday 11 May to submit your responses to the Department for Transport’s open consultations on introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers and proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences.
Introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers - GOV.UK
Proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences - GOV.UK