Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Road danger and protection from risk

Do you know someone (including yourself) who has been involved in a crash with a young driver and/or as a young driver themself? [Select all that apply]


%
Yes [NET]34.6%
Yes, I know someone who has been involved in a crash with a young driver15.2%
Yes, I know a young driver who has been involved in a crash21.6%
Yes, I have been involved in a crash with a young driver5.2%
No, I don’t know anyone63.8%
Prefer not to say1.6%

Breakdown by age

Do you know someone (including yourself) who has been involved in a crash with a young driver and/or as a young driver themself? [Select all that apply]
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes [NET]53.7%49.3%38.7%32.5%21.5%25.6%
Yes, I know someone who has been involved in a crash with a young driver 21.0% 26.6% 16.8% 13.7% 8.9% 9.4%
Yes, I know a young driver who has been involved in a crash 33.7% 31.5% 25.1% 19.5% 14.4% 14.7%
Yes, I have been involved in a crash with a young driver 5.4% 6.8% 6.6% 4.3% 2.7% 5.6%
No, I don’t know anyone 45.9% 48.2% 57.7% 66.0% 77.2% 74.1%
Prefer not to say 0.5% 2.5% 3.6% 1.5% 1.4% 0.3%
How much, if at all, do you worry that you, or someone you love, could be involved in a crash with a young driver?
%
WORRY [NET]58.9%
I worry a lot23.0%
I worry a little35.9%
I don’t worry that much19.0%
I don’t worry at all 6.7%
DON'T WORRY [NET]25.7%
N/A – I’ve never thought about this before14.8%
Prefer not to say
0.6%

Breakdown by age

How much, if at all, do you worry that you, or someone you love, could be involved in a crash with a young driver?
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
WORRY [NET]59.5%68.9%63.3%60.9%56.4%49.4%
I worry a lot 21.5% 35.4% 25.3% 22.8% 16.9% 17.7%
I worry a little 38.0% 33.6% 38.0% 38.1% 39.5% 31.6%
I don’t worry that much 22.4% 14.6% 20.7% 15.5% 19.4% 21.9%
I don’t worry at all 6.8% 5.4% 4.1% 9.6% 7.8% 6.7%
DON'T WORRY [NET]29.3%20.0%24.8%25.1%27.2%28.6%
N/A – I’ve never thought about this before 10.2% 9.9% 11.4% 13.7% 16.0% 21.7%
Prefer not to say 1.0% 1.1% 0.5% 0.3% 0.5% 0.3%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Everyone who uses roads deserves to be protected from known risks
%
Strongly agree 53.6%
Agree 35.6%
Neither agree nor disagree 9.0%
Disagree 1.2%
Strongly disagree 0.7%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young drivers need greater protection when they first get their driving licence because they are at greater risk of being involved in a serious crash
%
Strongly agree 37.2%
Agree 40.9%
Neither agree nor disagree 17.2%
Disagree 3.3%
Strongly disagree 1.5%

Freedom vs. safety

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young people need to drive because public transport is inconvenient
%
Strongly agree 17.6%
Agree 31.3%
Neither agree nor disagree 27.3%
Disagree 16.7%
Strongly disagree 7.2%

Breakdown by rural/urban living

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young people need to drive because public transport is inconvenient

Rural

Mainly rural

A mix of rural and urban

Mainly urban

Urban

Strongly agree

21.0%

20.2%

18.0%

15.3%

17.2%

Agree

30.6%

36.2%

34.6%

28.4%

28.6%

Neither agree nor disagree

27.1%

26.4%25.4%31.2%25.3%

Disagree

14.1%

12.9%

16.5%

17.9%

18.4%

Strongly disagree

7.2%        

4.3%        

5.5%        

7.2%        

10.6%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young people need to drive because public transport is too expensive
%
Strongly agree 14.5%
Agree 27.5%
Neither agree nor disagree 31.3%
Disagree 19.0%
Strongly disagree 7.7%

Breakdown by age

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young people need to drive because public transport is too expensive
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Strongly agree 19.3% 17.5% 17.4% 15.3% 13.0% 8.9%
Agree 32.2% 28.3% 33.6% 26.9% 23.8% 23.5%
Neither agree nor disagree 26.0% 30.7% 25.9% 31.1% 30.9% 38.3%
Disagree 18.0% 17.9% 15.8% 18.0% 24.0% 19.6%
Strongly disagree 4.5% 5.6% 7.3% 8.7% 8.3% 9.7%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young drivers should have freedom to travel even though they are at greater risk of being involved in a serious crash
%
Strongly agree 10.6%
Agree 28.4%
Neither agree nor disagree 30.8%
Disagree 21.3%
Strongly disagree 9.0%

Breakdown by age

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young drivers should have freedom to travel even though they are at greater risk of being involved in a serious crash
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Strongly agree 21.9% 16.3% 11.3% 7.9% 6.9% 5.6%
Agree 35.0% 31.7% 30.2% 30.4% 26.4% 21.7%
Neither agree nor disagree 24.4% 26.1% 29.2% 30.6% 32.9% 36.5%
Disagree 13.2% 18.7% 20.0% 18.8% 24.8% 26.8%
Strongly disagree 5.5% 7.2% 9.3% 12.2% 8.9% 9.4%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Strengthening the licensing system would restrict young people’s freedom
%
Strongly agree 13.9%
Agree 30.4%
Neither agree nor disagree 30.7%
Disagree 19.0%
Strongly disagree 6.0%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Government should prioritise the safety of all road users over young people’s freedom to travel
%
Strongly agree 34.9%
Agree 38.2%
Neither agree nor disagree 20.1%
Disagree 5.5%
Strongly disagree 1.4%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Government has a responsibility to prevent future deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving young drivers
%
Strongly agree 38.6%
Agree 40.3%
Neither agree nor disagree 17.4%
Disagree 2.9%
Strongly disagree 0.8%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - I would like my MP to do more to reduce the risk of crashes involving young drivers
%
Strongly agree 31.4%
Agree 37.5%
Neither agree nor disagree 25.3%
Disagree 4.1%
Strongly disagree 1.7%

General views on changes to the driver licensing system

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - The driver licensing system needs to be updated to protect all road users from crashes involving young drivers
%
Strongly agree 36.4%
Agree 38.3%
Neither agree nor disagree 20.2%
Disagree 3.7%
Strongly disagree 1.3%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Young drivers deserve to be protected by a stronger licensing system
%
Strongly agree 31.3%
Agree 43.2%
Neither agree nor disagree 20.9%
Disagree 3.7%
Strongly disagree 0.9%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Changes to the licensing system are essential to prevent road death and injury from crashes involving young drivers
%
Strongly agree 33.0%
Agree 39.2%
Neither agree nor disagree 22.2%
Disagree 4.3%
Strongly disagree 1.3%
Overall, would you support or oppose a stronger driver licensing system in Britain?
%
Strongly support 33.8%
Support 43.2%
Neither support nor oppose / neutral 14.6%
Oppose 2.8%
Strongly oppose 1.3%
Not sure4.3%
What, if anything, would most likely persuade you to support the introduction of a stronger licensing system in Britain? [Select up to three]
%
Evidence that a stronger licensing system would prevent crashes and save lives 48.0%
Evidence that a stronger licensing system would reduce the cost of my insurance 30.5%
If someone close to me was killed or seriously injured in a crash involving a young driver 19.2%
Evidence that a stronger licensing system would benefit the economy 18.8%
Media coverage of a death or serious injury from a crash involving a young driver 9.6%
Other reason 4.3%
N/A – nothing would persuade me 23.6%

Breakdown by age

What, if anything, would most likely persuade you to support the introduction of a stronger licensing system in Britain? [Select up to three]
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Evidence that a stronger licensing system would prevent crashes and save lives 40.7% 47.8% 43.4% 48.4% 51.6% 55.7%
Evidence that a stronger licensing system would reduce the cost of my insurance 43.5% 27.8% 27.9% 31.1% 32.3% 22.9%
If someone close to me was killed or seriously injured in a crash involving a young driver 22.2% 22.6% 22.1% 16.4% 11.8% 19.1%
Evidence that a stronger licensing system would benefit the economy 28.7% 24.3% 17.2% 13.9% 15.1% 14.5%
Media coverage of a death or serious injury from a crash involving a young driver 13.9% 14.8% 9.8% 5.7% 3.2% 9.2%
Other reason 4.6% 4.3% 3.3% 2.5% 4.3% 6.9%
N/A – nothing would persuade me 12.0% 24.3% 25.4% 31.1% 23.7% 23.7%

Views on changes to licensing for learner drivers

Do you think any of the following should be required by law? - Learner drivers should have a minimum number of hours of driving practice before taking their driving test
%
Yes 82.8%
No 9.8%
I’m not sure 7.4%

Breakdown by age

Do you think any of the following should be required by law? - Learner drivers should have a minimum number of hours of driving practice before taking their driving test
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes 71.4% 79.1%        80.6%        85.1%        88.4% 86.5%
No 22.2% 12.0% 10.3% 8.7%   6.1% 5.8%
I’m not sure 6.4% 8.8%         9.1%         6.2%         5.5% 7.7%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law? - Learner drivers should have a minimum learning period (e.g. 6 months) before taking their driving test
%
Yes 70.3%
No 16.5%
I’m not sure 13.3%

Breakdown by age

Do you think any of the following should be required by law? - Learner drivers should have a minimum learning period (e.g. 6 months) before taking their driving test
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes 57.6% 69.5% 72.7% 70.8%  75.2%   70.8%
No 31.2% 18.5% 15.4%        15.1%        13.0% 12.7%
I’m not sure 11.3% 12.0% 11.9% 14.1% 11.8% 16.5%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law? - Learner drivers should have practice driving on motorways before taking their driving test
%
Yes 79.2%
No 11.0%
I’m not sure 9.8%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law? - Learner drivers should complete additional hazard perception training before taking their driving test.
%
Yes 77.8%
No 10.5%
I’m not sure 11.7%

Views on changes to licensing for newly qualified drivers

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - It’s ok for young drivers to have to wait a few months after passing their driving test before driving with similar-age passengers in the car
%
Strongly agree 37.2%
Agree 36.1%
Neither agree nor disagree 16.9%
Disagree 7.3%
Strongly disagree 2.6%

Breakdown by age

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - It’s ok for young drivers to have to wait a few months after passing their driving test before driving with similar-age passengers in the car
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Strongly agree 21.9% 25.9% 33.4% 36.0% 46.5% 48.7%
Agree 31.8% 38.6% 34.8% 37.5% 36.8% 35.6%
Neither agree nor disagree 22.2% 22.3% 20.9% 16.6% 11.4% 11.8%
Disagree 15.8% 9.6% 8.9% 7.5% 4.5% 2.7%
Strongly disagree 8.4% 3.6% 2.0% 2.5% 0.8% 1.1%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should not have permission to carry similar-age passengers (e.g. passengers under 25), unless there is an older adult in the car
%
Yes 61.0%
No 21.5%
I’m not sure 17.5%

Breakdown by age

Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should not have permission to carry similar-age passengers (e.g. passengers under 25), unless there is an older adult in the car
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes 43.1% 52.8% 57.1% 58.4% 71.1% 72.1%
No 43.1% 28.7% 23.7% 21.3% 14.0% 10.8%
I’m not sure 13.8% 18.5% 19.2% 20.3% 14.8% 17.0%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - It’s ok for young drivers to have to wait a few months after passing their driving test before driving late at night without an older adult in the car
%
Strongly agree 36.4%
Agree 37.9%
Neither agree nor disagree 15.9%
Disagree 7.0%
Strongly disagree 2.7%

Breakdown by age

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - It’s ok for young drivers to have to wait a few months after passing their driving test before driving late at night without an older adult in the car
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Strongly agree 23.5% 28.9% 36.2% 31.9% 43.1% 45.9%
Agree 32.5% 40.8% 36.6% 42.0% 37.8% 36.6%
Neither agree nor disagree 22.8% 19.1% 17.4% 15.3% 12.8% 12.3%
Disagree 14.1% 8.6% 6.9% 8.1% 5.1% 3.4%
Strongly disagree 7.1% 2.6% 3.0% 2.7% 1.2% 1.8%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should not have permission to drive at night (e.g. from 11pm to 6am), unless there is an older adult in the car
%
Yes 61.5%
No 21.4%
I’m not sure 17.0%

Breakdown by age

Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should not have permission to drive at night (e.g. from 11pm to 6am), unless there is an older adult in the car
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes 46.3% 60.2%  60.1% 59.2% 64.8% 69.4%
No 39.2% 23.9% 23.7% 22.8% 17.9% 11.8%
I’m not sure 14.5% 15.9% 16.2% 18.0% 17.3% 18.7%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should have telematics (black box) insurance
%
Yes 63.0%
No 15.6%
I’m not sure 21.3%

Breakdown by age

Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should have telematics (black box) insurance
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes 52.4% 60.8% 63.6% 65.2% 67.9% 63.9%
No 29.6% 19.9% 13.8% 14.5% 12.2% 11.0%
I’m not sure 18.0% 19.3% 22.5% 20.3% 19.9% 25.1%
Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should not have permission to drink any alcohol if driving
%
Yes 87.6%
No 7.0%
I’m not sure 5.4%

Breakdown by age

Do you think any of the following should be required by law for the first six months after passing a driving test? - Newly qualified young drivers should not have permission to drink any alcohol if driving
18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over
Yes 78.1% 81.1% 85.4%  89.2% 92.5% 93.2%
No 14.8% 11.0% 8.5%     5.8%     3.5% 3.1%
I’m not sure 7.1%     7.8% 6.1%         5.0% 4.1% 3.7%

Arguments to support stronger licencing

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Changes to the licensing system are essential to prevent road death and injury from crashes involving young drivers
%
Strongly agree 33.0%
Agree 39.2%
Neither agree nor disagree 22.2%
Disagree 4.3%
Strongly disagree 1.3%
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - Government has a responsibility to prevent future deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving young drivers
%
Strongly agree 38.6%
Agree 40.3%
Neither agree nor disagree 17.4%
Disagree 2.9%
Strongly disagree 0.8%

Survey methodology

Brake commissioned market research company OnePoll to conduct an online survey among 3,000 UK adults in July 2025.

The sample of adults was randomly selected from a survey panel and weighted to be representative of the UK population for age, gender and region. OnePoll's weighting data is from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-year population estimates.

Data splits were provided based on:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Region
  • Rural/Urban
  • Household Annual Income
  • Highest Level of Education
  • Driving Licence Status
  • Time Passed Since Test