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The Department for Transport has proposed a minimum waiting period that learner drivers would need to observe between completing their theory test and their practical examination. This follows recent DVSA statistics revealing the average wait for a test across the UK stands at approximately 24 weeks - roughly six months.

The official proposal states that this compulsory waiting period would give learners 'more time to build competence and experience'. It highlighted that those aged 17 to 24 remain among the highest fatality risk categories on Britain's roads.

After the announcement, Liberal Democrat MP Dr Al Pinkerton challenged the Department for Transport on how this proposal would address the current delays people encounter when attempting to secure their test appointment due to a record backlog at DVSA. LLabour MP Simon Lightwood suggested that this additional practice time would likely result in more people succeeding on their first or second practical test attempt. This could free up test appointments if fewer people need to book multiple retakes.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport stated: "The Road Safety Strategy, published on the 7th January, includes consulting on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their practical test.

"A Minimum Learning Period is designed to prepare people better for a lifetime of safe driving by giving them more time to build up essential skills.

"With more preparation for their test more people may pass first or second time, which could help reduce the waiting time for tests by reducing demand from learners booking to retake their test.

"Introducing a minimum learning period could raise driving test pass rates and for every 1% increase in pass rate sustained over a year, around 40,000 test slots are freed up over the course of the year. Research suggests that a Minimum Learning Period may increase the pass rate by up to 7 percentage points."

A minimum learning period system of this nature already operates in numerous countries throughout Australasia and North America. These periods vary from three to 12 months and can even depend on the learner's age.

For instance, Victoria in Australia mandates that individuals under 21 must hold their learner permit for a minimum of 12 months, whilst those aged 21 to under 25 must maintain it for at least six months, and those 25 and above need to possess it for a minimum of three months before sitting their practical test.

New York and California stipulate a six-month period for those under 18 years old. Ontario, Canada mandates 12 months, which can be reduced to eight months if the learner completes an educational course.

The Government's proposal outlined an alternative to the minimum learning period that would mandate learners to complete a minimum number of supervised hours on the road, or a combination of minimum learning period and supervised hours.