Under the current rules a learner in Great Britain can take the practical car test as soon as they hold a provisional licence and have passed the theory test. The Department for Transport (DfT) wants to know whether that should change. Its consultation, launched with the government’s Road Safety Strategy on 7 January 2026, asks whether learners should have to wait a minimum time between a theory test pass and a practical test.
Key facts
- What Consultation on a minimum learning period for car learners
- Published 7 January 2026
- Closed 11 May 2026 (extended)
- Status Proposal only; current rules unchanged
What was proposed
The DfT announcement spoke of a 3 or 6 month minimum learning period. The consultation itself does not name a preferred option. It asks how long the wait should be, which ages it should cover, and whether there should also be a minimum number of supervised driving hours, a set learning syllabus, a logbook or e-learning. It also asks about exemptions and whether the rules should apply to new drivers whose licence is revoked for 6 or more penalty points in their 2-year probation, or who are ordered by a court to retake the test.
One question matters directly for theory test candidates: if a waiting period is brought in, should the theory test pass certificate last longer than its current 2 years? The plans cover car licences only, not motorcycles, and would apply in England, Scotland and Wales.
Why it was raised
DfT says drivers aged 17 to 24 make up 6% of licence holders yet feature in 24% of collisions that kill or seriously injure, and that more time learning would give learners experience of night driving, bad weather and heavy traffic. The consultation closed on 11 May 2026 after being extended.
What this means
Nothing has changed yet: you can still book your practical test as soon as you pass the theory test, and your pass still lasts 2 years. If a waiting period is introduced later, it may be sensible to take the theory test early in your learning so the clock starts sooner. Watch for the government’s response on GOV.UK.