Did You Know The Goverment Are Considering Introducing A Minimum Learning Period For Learner Drivers?

Minimum learning periods (MLP)

MLP is an approach adopted in a number of jurisdictions and countries and can vary from country to country and state to state. In MLPs, learners are required to undergo a minimum time period before taking a practical car driving test or obtaining a full licence. MLPs provide learners more time to develop their skills and the opportunity to gain experience in varied conditions, such as driving at night, in adverse weather, and in heavy traffic. Some MLPs are used in combination with a minimum number of learning hours and a learning syllabus.

Minimum learning periods implemented internationally

Minimum learning periods (MLP) are one of several measures, usually delivered as part of a pre-licensing system.

The length of MLP in Australasia and North America ranges between 3 and 12 months and can be based on the age of the learner. For example, Victoria in Australia requires individuals under 21 to hold their learner permit for at least 12 months, while those 21 to under 25 must hold it for at least 6 months, and those 25 and older need to hold it for a minimum of 3 months. New York and California in the USA require a 6-month period for those under 18 years of age. Ontario, Canada requires 12 months, reduced to 8 months if an education course is completed.

An alternative form of MLP is mandating a minimum number of supervised hours or a combination of the length of the minimum learning period and the minimum number of supervised hours.

The range of minimum supervised hours in Australasia and North America varies widely. In North America, 40 to 50 hours is the norm, while in Australasia, a minority of jurisdictions have no minimums, while others range from 50 to 120 hours.

As another variant, some European countries tend to use the minimum distance travelled rather than hours. However, the European Union is to change the driving licence rules in October 2025 and this may encourage changes in individual member states.

Safety impacts of minimum learning periods

MLPs are one of several measures that could have a positive impact on safety outcomes for young and novice drivers.

During the mandatory MLP, learner drivers often practice under the supervision of a parent, guardian or driving instructor. This allows them to receive constructive feedback and correct mistakes in real-time, which could lead to better driving habits. A mandatory MLP is intended to provide young and novice drivers with enough time to experience different driving conditions, which is crucial for making safe driving decisions.

The evidence summarised below suggests that MLPs can reduce both fatal and total collisions. A number of studies have examined collision rate changes after the introduction of minimum learning periods and minimum supervised hours. Six evaluations assess the impact of MLPs without the concurrent introduction of other new driver measures, such as post-test restrictions, but sometimes with a requirement for a minimum number of supervised hours. Two of these 6 studies were focused on 16-year-olds, which was the age when people can learn to drive in the relevant jurisdictions.

Four studies identified a positive impact on collisions. These were 12-month learner periods in Ontario[footnote 11] and Quebec[footnote 12], Canada and 6-month learner periods in Kentucky[footnote 13] and Connecticut[footnote 14], USA. Connecticut also increased requirements for a minimum number of hours behind-the-wheel instruction from 6 to 8 hours. Kentucky introduced a requirement for 60 minimum hours of supervised learning, of which 10 must be in the dark. Measured reductions in collisions range between 5% and 33% for different populations of interest in these 4 studies.

The remaining 2 studies were unable to detect an effect[footnote 15]. These were in California and the city of San Diego (in California), where there was a 6-month learning period and 50 supervised hours required, of which 10 must be in the dark.

Additionally, a 2013 study[footnote 16] analysed collision rates per 100,000 population of 16 and 17-year-old drivers in US states that introduced minimum learner license periods or minimum supervised hours from 1990 to 2009. It found that:

for 3 of the 5 states where a 6-month minimum learning period was introduced (Connecticut, Minnesota and Virginia), a significant decline in 16- and 17-year-old driver fatal collision rates was seen
when collision rates for all states introducing a minimum time learning period in the sample were pooled, there was a significant 7% reduction in 16- and 17-year-old driver fatal collision rates
the pooled impact on fatal collisions for 16 and 17-year-old drivers across all states that introduced a minimum supervised hours requirement was not significant
Broader impacts of minimum learning periods

Looking at broader impacts, 2 studies considered the association between MLPs and driving test pass rates in Australia[footnote 17]. In New South Wales, minimum learning hours were raised from 50 to 120 and the driving test was revised at the same time to be more challenging. There was an increase of 5 percentage points in the test pass rate in the 120-hour group compared to the 50-hour group, despite revisions to the practical test, however, the study did not report on statistical testing. In Queensland, when minimum supervised hours changed from none to 100 in 2007, there was a 7% increase in the test pass rate, however, statistical testing found this difference was not significant.