The AA has proposed that newly qualified drivers aged under 21 should be prevented from carrying passengers of a similar age for their first six months behind the wheel. This suggestion comes as part of a broader effort to improve road safety for young drivers, who are statistically more likely to be involved in serious accidents.

In addition to the passenger restrictions, the AA suggests that these young drivers should face stricter penalties for failing to wear a seatbelt during the initial six-month period. If a new driver is caught without a seatbelt, they would receive six penalty points on their licence—enough to result in an automatic disqualification under the current points system.

The motoring organisation argues that implementing these measures could prevent up to 934 serious injuries and save 58 lives each year on UK roads. The system being proposed is known as a "graduated driving licence" (GDL), which places certain restrictions on new drivers for a limited time after passing their tests. GDL schemes are already in place in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and Sweden.

If adopted in the UK, the proposed GDL system would also require new young drivers to display G plates on their vehicles during the first six months. Failing to do so would result in three points on their licence.

Although the proposal is primarily aimed at younger drivers, similar GDL systems in other countries—such as Canada—apply to all new drivers regardless of their age. The AA believes these measures would significantly reduce the risk of accidents involving young, inexperienced drivers and help save lives on British roads.

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