this is ridiculous! whatever age people learn to drive at theyre still going to be novices! for the obvious reason they have just learnt to drive on the road. use your heads!

josh, louth,

I am a 16 year old girl and i have been desperate to drive for years. Putting the driving age up is just going to cause havok because it doesnt make a difference what age the person is, a year isnt going to make somebody any more cautious or sensible, its just going to make them angry and frustrated

Gayle, Uk,

You shouldnt change the age. But make the consequences tougher on those who do commit crimes this will detire people from doing things in the first place

Victoria Jenikns, Stanwell, England

I think keeping a log of the number of driving hours, as per pilots who have to record so many flying hours to keep their licence, would be sensible. Apparently, New Zealand operates this policy, so it has to be manageable somehow! Age is irrelevant, it is experience that counts.

Carolyn, Leamington Spa, England

to put it simply a lerner is still a lerner weather he is 17 18 70 or 118 raising the age by 1 year isent going to make a diferenc also if e lowerd the driving age to 16 then young drivers would have 2 years driving experianc before thay even had the chance to drink and drive not that i think its ok

ryan maples, harrogate, uk

i think its just daft beaucse people who are 18 and not yet passed or going to be the same as if they were 17 and passing so really there will be no difference beacuse theyd act the same beaucse they just want to get onto the road.!!

Martyn Newton, Dudley,

Totally UnCalled for. Upping the age limit is making no difference. Lets face it people at the age of 17 are now only legal to buy Lottery tickets which is extremely pathetic.

The Goverment is looking at it from the Youngers Point of View by the looks of things...

Emma Mats, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

We spent many hours driving our sons around on top of their lessons, night driving, driving in all weathers and we feel one of the biggest causes of young drivers crashes is the experienced drivers tail-gaiting, harassing and total intollerance putting all at risk. Speed limits not just 4 learners!

Linda Yeomans, Fareham, Hampshire

. When someone pasts they oviously going to drive alot and be in the car alot, having a good time etc what ever there age and so the age limit wont make much difference.. i mean more young peopel will be getting mop heads in order to travel which seem more dangerous then cars.

Laura , Torquay,

I wanna also point out tht if i have a car my parents wont keep having a go at me for asking for lifts.. and if they threaten to kick me out of the house and do then least i have my car to sleep in and be safe.. Its ridiculous.. im looking forward to driving 4 getting around not driving lik a loon.

Laura, Torquay,

It makes more sense to increase the amount of time for a driver to learn how to drive and how they are taught.

Age is not a way to define the maturity of a person while driving or how safe they

Rifat Khan, Liverpool, England

I Think Putting the age up is wrong some people need a license when they are 17 to go to college and work to better them selves but you are just making it more difficult for 17 year olds to get a job and to get on the right course they want at college, and public transport is usless these days

Matt K, Rochdale, lancashire

i think that putting the age is pathetic.
people blame more teens for accidents on the road than anything and its not the case. you could be doing everything right while driving but can still have accidents. more people are gunna be driving illegally because of them not been able to drive.

chloe bell, middlesbrough, united kingdom

I think that putting the age up is stupid !!
Its just going to encourage more people to joyride than people already do. Maybe if they'd be able to get a license younger then this wouldnt happen. Think about it.

Olivia Pownall, Manchester, England

This is NOT fair putting the driving age up, the generations that are being affected by this have done no wrong and are being punished by other peoples mistakes, why dont you restrict the engine size? Instead of stoping drivers just put an age limit on the engine size!

Kirsty Dobbs, Bridgend,

I think we should stop worrying. They have beem proposing this for years, and has anything ever happened? It is very unfair and people will start to drive illegally. Plus I work 10 miles from my home, it cost me £1.20 each way to work on the bus, I am not paying that for another year! Very bad idea!

Tom Hazell, Leicester, United Kingdom, England

Personally i dont think its fair putting up the driving age to 17. All of my friends will be able to drive and i wont as my birthday is at the end of the year, after the driving age has been put up. I think it will just encourage more driving from people under the legal age.

Kirsty, Paisley,

wats the point!yes the facts do show that 17 year olds crash more but thats the same as anything obviously there just satrting out! the facts will just change to 18 year olds crashin more! how can my friend born 1 year earlier than me be able to drive any differerent ! some americans drive at 14!!

kristina, london,

i think it is unfair because if you want to go on to future education the you dont want to ask some one for a lift all the time

Jordan, leeds, uk

im 15 sixteen in september. If the driving age does not go up i will be able to drive to college and gain some inderpendence. Also i would like to say that peole who leave school and do not go on to further education are not able to claim for free public travel so how are they going to get to work?

Sarah, croydon, england

i think it is very unfair, as we have all been wating to drive our whole life, and just because of some yobs we all get punished for it. i myself work 30miles away from where i live, sometimes i miss my bus or train and i always get wrong for that, so if they change the driving 2 18 hw am i gna cope

shaz, sunderland,

I think its unfair too, because i need to be able to drive as soon as i turn 17, to be able to go see my clients.
Rather then depend on other people to drive me around, which also looks very unprofessional!!!!

Frankie, surrey, uk

Being sixteen years old, I find the statement of Jim Fitzpatrick extraodinarily patronising. Not all teenagers are idiots. We realise that driving is dangerous, and just because a few yobs like driving round Tescos car park at hundreds of miles an hour at night doesn't mean we all do.

Eleanor Watts, Cambridge,

I don't think it is fair that 17 year old will need to take a full year of lessons. I personally am 17 and am learning to drive to make it eariser for myself to get to work rather than relying on public transport. There are very careful 17 year old drivers out there and shouldnt all be blamed !!!

Joanne, Linwood, Scotland

Well i think that its the old people that cause the most accidents, once theyv reached an age of 60 perhaps, they should be re-tested, to see if they are still capible of driving safely, the young people of today dont need to have to wait another year or so, just make the test harder.

Declan Keen, Bridgend, South Wales

I think more younger people should have their say and bear in mind it's not only young people that cause accidents we have been given a bad name as we are always highlighted by the media,and it won't make a difference what if most people resort to the usage of motorbikes!!!

sammy, Glasgow, Scotland

What about teenagers who want to drive to work college or uni? Im a responsble young person and i dont see why the ages need to be changed, possibly its the testing methods that are the root of the problem but because we are young, that thought is overident and drowed with the sterotypes of youths!

Shauntél.C, London,

Yes its a privilege but u have to learn how to drive to obtain the lincence legally.. it is wrong to stereo type because we are at a younger age when there is immature people at all ages that make silly desicions... do not under mind us because we are young

Byran, London, UK

i think this proposal to set the age limit higher is stupid teenagers just want there independance trust me i kno becuase i am one. i hate the way people say teenagers in general are dangerous on the roads and that we should be curfewed etc. the sooner we can drive the sooner we ent on the streets

alex bagwell, gloucester, england

If you pass your driving test at any age you should be allowed to drive.But if you are caught speeding, drink driving ect... and you are under 18 then your licence should be taken away! it would also be a good idea to have a special race track for tennagers.

Chris, corfe mullen, UK

Apart from the safety issue it will stop 17 year olds from driving to school that adds to traffic and pollution, they get free public transport and should use it! Driving is a privlege and should not be allowed for childern.

anthony, Newry,

I think it is a wast of time riseing the age to 18 because the bigest %age of people in road colisions are people aged 17 - 25 so by puting the age up 1 more year wat will that solve as it then will b people aged 18 - 25 involved in road colisions

Brendan, Dalkeith , Scotland

To be honest i think that changing the age of being able to drive is pathetic! if anything they should become more stricter on the speed limits etc and bann people from driving due to this rather than make younger people suffer by increasng the age limit of being able to drive.

Becky, Plymouth, England

I think by doin this it will coruse however many arguemnt s but at the end of the day iv wnated ti drive for years n im finaly turning 17 in 5 days and i am doin a weeks inence course to get it done so that im more independant and more reliable by my self

charlie, essex, england

It wont a solve anything. Im 16 coming up 17 and i have my heart set on driving and by enforcing these new laws arn't the way to go about it.
Speed cameras, average speed cameras, theres so many new and good ways to monitor speeds, why not enforce more speed limits, dont take it driving away!!!!!!!

Matthew Howe, Maidstone, Kent

Hey can anyone tell me if i will still be able to start driving lessons at 17 and do the theory at 18? or do i have to be 18 to start lessons? thanks

Michael, Leeds, England

i'm 17 next year in June. I live in a small village in the middle of no-where in England. I want to be able to drive myself to college not have to get up earlier each morning just so i can walk to the station 3 miles away. It is incredibly hard to get myself to places far away. I need a car ASAP.

George, West Sussex, England

I was a better driver for being more experienced. I think 12 months of driving experience prior to taking a test is a very good idea. It is easy when young to learn the mechanics of driving without gaining experience of driving with the stresses that challenge and distract many drivers today

Teresa Carter, Bristol,

i passed my driving test within 7 weeks, (i was 17 two months ago now), and a small number of lessons, it doesnt neccesarily make me a bad driver. instead of condeming all young drivers, maybe dsa should should introduce a maturity and common sense test, incorporated in the theory test.

Jess, Midlands,

Moving the drving age up to 18 will just cause younger people to go and and joy ride with out a licence. and therefore cause yet more deaths on the roads . i think its a stupid idea and turning 17 next year i dont want to wait any longer to drive ive been waiting for 3 years for my own idenpendence.

Jodie , poole, ENGLAND!

i personaly think that one year will make no difference to what young people do and how they drive at the end of the day all they are doing is makeing it potentially more dangeorous on the roads because more people will be getting mopeds i think the should keep the driving age at 17 years

kyle bayliss, pershore, england

Well this has caused me to get a moped because i don't want to rely on my parents for lifts for another 2 years if the age does go up to 18, and seeing as we hear of so many fatal bike accidents this would probably be a bad move for government if a lot of people end up doing the same as I have done.

Matt, Corsham, Wiltshire,

loads of rubbihs why should it changee. the people who are making these changes were allowed to when tey were 17 so why should nt we?!

alice`, wolverhampton, england

Right!
This is stupid!
There are a lot of people such as myself at the age of 16 and turning 17 early next year!
Just because a small portion of the teenagers abuse the responsibility of driving, you are choosing to punish them all.
Its stupid, and shouldn't happen! Many will agree with me!

Daryl, Swindon, Wiltshire

Ok im 17 this december and i'm really looking forward to the responsibility of driving a car!
It gives me a chance to be economically dependant as i'll have to buy my own petrol and why should we all have to suffer because of some absolute idiots on the road!

Franki, kent,

. I am 16 and i am eager to begin driving, mayube too eager. I know many people who if the driving age goes up they will drive illegally with no knowledge of how to. Also undoubtedly there will be many with this set of mind. I wonder what will cause more deaths?

Marcus, Luton,

Right! i am 16 and will be going on 17 in january 08. As my father has his own business being a mechanic i will be following his roll and for me to work on the cars and find problems i will have to drive them my self but if they decide to put the restrictions in then i may aswell start work when 18!

scott , London, UK

I think that this is a ridiculous idea, why should the younger generation be penilized for the mistakes of a small minority of people abuse the skill of driving.

megan, belfast,

i dont think they should higher the age as i will be 17 in january and i am looking forward to being able to drive and i feel it is unfair to take away that privilage to people who are turning 17 within the next year. i think it is unfair and as for accidents it isnt always young people. my friends where in a car crash 2 weeks ago 2 were killed and 2 badly injured in hospital still, the driver was 17 but was a sensible driver, it was an accident and it wasnt down to age, it was down to the other driver in the other car who was an older man in his 30's. you cannot put acciedents down to age. I also believe that motorcycles and scooters (which you can drive at 16) are more dangerous than cars and more young people will be going and getting them insted because they cannot drive.

Sarah, Liverpool, United Kingdom

I feel that it shouldn't be changed as the problems on the road are not just young people but "experienced drivers" and also the older generation.

There is also the problem of putting a limit to how many lessons we should do. This is unfair as the cost of lessons are too much already. If you changed the age of driving it will cause more problems with public transport as more people will get public transport and this already costs to much as it is.

You can't put a limit on how long a young driver should stay out either as they can either finish work late or they might need to pick family up from the airport.

I honestly feel that it shouldnt be changed but it should stay at 17 and when students pass they pass but when they get to a certain age for example 60, they should retake there test to stay on the road.

Charlotte , Plymouth, UK

hi my name is tom if you change the age limit more people are going to get a motor bike witch are more dangerous

tom, southam, southam

had the driving age already gone up because i have been told that it has and that means that i am now stuck for getting to work as i am 17 on 30th/04/91 and also they are not thinkin about if they make it a 12 month corse it will make more younger people go to getting a motor bike and they are more dangerious so i think it is stupid to be honest

neil , peterborough, united kingdom

Right..i personally think.. that thoose who were 17 before the law was past should still be able to obtain a full driving licence,

Everyone else..will have to wait

Matthew , Allmighty Fife, UK

Yeaah whats good! the name becca, becca hendy and im here to have my say! driving is my life soul and if you take this away its like taking away my mum n dad!

rebecca hendy, luton, beds

i was born in 02.05.92 and think this is not a good idea as it should be used in school years such as september otherwise i will not be able to gt to college or work and the goverment dont realise how hard public transport is.i also feels its unfair as i herd it would be brought in to acount in april 09 just 1 month before my birthday and its horrible to think my freinds older than me can drive.i also think that there will be more crime as we will not be able to have idependence wich leads to bad behavour on streets and would want to drive illegally.its not just me its the majority of people who belive its a bad idea and we wont be able to get to work or college if they want to reduce crashes look at older drivers aswell and make driving lessons cheaper.

s.p, newbury, berkshire

basicly we cant get to college or work and therefore the goverment should pay for transport regardless.also it should be done in school years and for people born in 1993 as 1992 is to short notice and it would cause even more crime .

s.p, newbury, berkshire

I think the ages should stay at 17,

i am 16 and all i want is a car and if if goes up another year people wouldnt be happy about it

it would be easier for us to get to college and work

ste, newcastle,

I personally feel that there really wouldn't be a point in changing the law for just a 1 year difference. The majarity of accidents are caused mainly by teenage boys, in which case the maturity would maintain the same within a year. Also i feel that people who have been driving for over 15 years , should take a new thoery test. Young people today have to face a much harder test to pass. This would also make a difference to the roads, and make them safer.

jill, aberdeen, scotland

I agree with the idea of 12 months learning to drive for younger people.

But what must be taken into consideration is elderly drivers , who in my view have slow reactions and are also just as likely to get envolved with an accident if a child was to walk out in front of them for example.

Some of the more elderly drivers never took a test at all , and this concerns me just as much as with younger drivers.

Maybe there should be a test for drivers over a certain age to see if these drivers are up to standard.

50 years ago or more there where not as many cars on the road as there are today.


I am 43 and have been driving for 25 years, and at 18 when I passed the test , my driving instructor told me I had to start to learn to drive.

You have to drive defensively , and keep your eyes open at all times.

This in my view makes a good safe driver

Matthew Blundell

Matthew Blundell, Welling, Kent, England

Although many are upset about this I think its a pretty good idea. However there should also be an upper limit. Why is it that young people are always marginalized like this? Older drivers are a hazard on the road with failing eyesight and hearing as well as slower reactions.

Hopefully some motorway driving will be included in the test, maybe some other parts of pass plus incorporated in the main test?

I'm assuming that a reduction in insurance will follow bit that may be too wishful thinking!

I am a 19 year male.

JR, london, UK

I live in the country and struggle as it is getting in and out of the town with both my parents with cars and my older brother. I will be 17 as of 2009 and I will not be able to do all the things i want to do if i cant get around. I dont think that putting the driving age to 18 will help the situation. The problem is not the age of the drivers, it is the experience on the roads that they have and the lack of understanding for their responsibilities. In this article it says that learners are passing their tests without having driven in the dark, on ice or on snow...how is putting the age limit to 18 going to help that? I believe that 16 year olds should be allowed to have lessons and a provisional license for a year then, with a more challenging test, they can set their test once they are 17. This can give them the experience and year round lessons allow them to understand the conditions of driving and how to handle them.

Jenny Mill, Glasgow, Scotland

i am going to be 17 soon, and i cant wait to drive!!. i feel it is unfair for the goverment to put the age limit up!! i also dont feel it will stop accident on the roads as it isnt always young people apart of the accident, all because we dont have many years on the roads dosent make us bad drivers. i feel the goverment should allow 17 year old to drive but not allow them to have such powerfull cars just like the motobike law.

leanna , march , england

Im 16, 17 in June. I think this idea of puting up the driving age has not had as much thought put into it as needed. For example, wether you are 17, 18 or 21 if you have just passed your test and have a silly attitude towards driving, you are going to be silly on the road regardless. If they put this age up, it might take people longer to pass but if they have the idea of racing their cars or watever,, they are going to do it anyway so really, what is the point? They should be working on projects to develope peoples attitudes towards driving, not making an unfair choice towards people that take it seriously! Some youths, like myself, will really need their cars to get to uni, work etc. I really think this should be re-thought.
Thanks for reading.x

Amy, Edinburgh, UK

im 17 year old male, still not learning to drive even though i am goin to be 18 in a few months, its all becuase i havent the money atm, i should hopefully be learning to drive within 1 month as of money issuses as there are no jobs in my local area so i have to travel to get work, there for if the driving age went up i would not be able to do anything for a year or 2 as i would have no work there for no money to do anything with my life!!! so i think the goverment should live in my shoes for a month then they would no how hard it was to get along as they all props live in london there for use puplic transport!! which i dont have living in the country!! also girlfriend has to drive to her work experience, if she couldnt driven then she could not get there, there for she wouldnt be able to become what she wants to become l8er on in life!
thanks for taking ur time to read this!
hope it doesnt go up as it would affect many people like my self!!

marc taylor, walton, somerset

I was born in early January 1992 and therefore my friends less than a month younger than me could drive while i could not according to these proposals. Perhaps this is selfish and bias, but surely this should be based on school year rather than calendar year? Could I also propose that drivers over the age of 70 (who have contributed to a number of horrific accidents) be re-tested if we are to make Britain's roads safer.

Niall, Pinner,

i am 16 and my birthday is in october. i cant wait to learn to drive. i think it is unfair if they put the driving age up because some young drivers cause accidents.also think it would be a better idea to make the test harder rather then change the age.

Emma, carluke, scotland

I believe they should leave the driving age alone. I'm 17 on 4th of april and I've heard it goes up on the 1st of april. I will be a good driver as I've had a motorcycle on the road to get me around since I was 16 and from a motorcyclist view its not just young drivers that are a danger its every one. Every one knows that when a young person has passed there test one of there first things that will happen with there first car is a crash, its bound to happen. its a learning experriense. Another thing is that should be part of the driving test is knowing how to change tyre incase of a puncture and knowing how to chech oil levels, antifreeze etc etc. plus it should be like I'd rather the drinking age go up rather than driving age because driving is giving young people independence.

Thomas Wells, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Well, I've heard that the law is going to be 1992 and after cannot drive. I'm in my last few weeks of school and I'm in the same year as most of the 1991 people and I truly don't believe that this is fair on us who where born 1992.

My birth date is 12.05.92 and I'm in the same year as someone born 02.09 and I don't think this is fair I think anyone born 1992 and below should be able to obtain a driving license at 17 but just taking a much more difficult test. I'm not only putting my point across because I'm born in 1992 but because this is a fair point of view and for all those born 1992.


As I say the people born 1991 are not even a year older than m e. Or even could I propose this the youngest person in my year and in any high school year 11's about to leave this year 2008 the youngest is born in august so if there was a law make it if you are born in September 1992 or after you cannot drive until your 18 so that way its fair on those born in 1992 and in the same year as 1991.

Jordan, England, Essex,

im a 15 year old girl...nearly 16 who can't wait to be driving. What i don't understand is why are they thinking about raising the driving age when its not even our age group that has caused the problem?
If they want a 'training period' before you are allowed to take your test i think they should let us have the training period earlier and leave the age as it is, as i don't think it is at all fair that friends that are a year old than us will have been driving 2 years before we are allowed to.
And besides....the term 'boy racer' springs to mind for nearly all young peoples accidents...so why are the girls having to suffer because of them? And surely we are already being punished enough for the amount of money will would have to pay for the insurance, again due to careless boy racers.

Becky Watson, Lincolnshire, UK

Having read a lot of the comments here, i would like to say this - Can all these young people stop bleating about how much the government are idiots and incapapable of doing anything correct. I think they should stop trying to be adults until they can spell correctly, and then they could come up with a better arguement for driving other than '....and my mummy will need to give me lifts for another year'. Young people are killing themselves and others on the road, just the same as other age groups. It has to stop somewhere and i think that slowing down the time it takes for young people to get on the road is the way forward. (sorry about the bad grammer and any spelling mistakes!)

Jay, Porstmouth, UK

I'm 17. I was 17 in november and had passed my driving test within 2 months. I'm now learning to ride a motorbike and have just done my CBT.

I think rather than changing the legal driving age the test should just be made more difficult because not all newly passed drivers think that they can drive quickly and kill themselves. Also an upper age limit should be introduced because just yesterday i was nearly crashed into by some old woman who seemed to have no idea what was going on and just drifted across the lane nearly into the side of me.

I think a zero alcohol level should be enforced on all drivers and more effort should be made to stop people using phones while driving because the number of people i have seen using phones whilst driving is rediculous.

Driving should be more like with bikes where you are limeted to a certain engine size and power for 2 years after passing your test.

Tom, bury,

Im 17.

My insurance is £3500.

Am i not already paying for the way some irrisponsible young people drive?

Tom, bury,

I do not believe that it is necessary to raise the driving age to 18. Why should all young people be penalised for the faults of other reckless individuals? It has been stated that novice drivers are responsible for one third of road accidents - so what about the other two thirds, do they not get penalised for dangerous driving? I believe that raising the driving age to 18 is discriminating against young people - older people cause thousands of accidents on the road also so why are the youth being targeted. It is incredbly patronizing to suggest raising the driving age as well as the other limitations that will be involved in this change. Do young people not have a voice? Do young people not have the right to be involved in decisions that are relevent to them?

Macleod, Western Isles, Scotland

I believe that it is a good idea for people to have to have lessons for a time period befor they take their test. But there is no reason why this time period couldnt be before they were 17. People are just as mature at age16 as at 17. So let people get their learning permit while they are 16 but not allow them to take the test until they are 17. If young adults have to wait until they are 18 to drive parents will also suffer with the amount of taxiing they do - they already complain enough. Also when people are 18 they can drive to a pub for a drink and then drive home again - probably above the legal limit. If the government want less drink driving they should start a no tolerance rule for people who have been driving for less than a year

Anna Campbell, Ipswich,

I am 17 this december and cannot wait until i pass my driving test as I cannot wait to be independent. At the moment, I have to ask my parents to give me a lift everywhere. My parents can't wait also as they might be able to stop running aroung after me.I would be absolutely devestated if they raised the legal driving age and I do not see why - if a couple of irresponsible young people who are trying to entertain their friends and I do not see why future drivers haveto be punished as not everyone drives around stupidly and I do not see how these incidents should change the governments perception of young drivers.
If I will be able to pass my driving test this year I have no intention of speeding along roads and putting myself or my passengers in danger. If i would carry passengers I would consider their safety first and would take responsibility if anything happened to them whilst in my hands.The government should be very careful of their actions as 16 year olds are old enough to vote

Mari , Holyhead, Anglesey

I think this is absoloutly ridiculous, im 17 this year and i live in a little village where its hard to get around, i have to take 2 buses wherever i go, and it doesnt come cheap either. I was actually looking forward to thinking i could start driving this year so i didnt have to rely on my parents and stupid public transport that comes like once in a few hours. Just because were young does not mean were all going to act like idiots when we get behind the wheel, and anyways whats the difference with one year?! How can people expect us to grow up and mature properly when laws change ever minute making us more like children for longer. I don't care about the drinking limit or anything because fair enough you should not drink and drive, but why raise the age!

Vicki, Near Hull, Uk

What are they doing? do the government seriously think that if the age limit increased by one year, it will make a huge difference. i myself am a 16 year old boy just looking forward to having my own way of transport, not going crazy behind the wheel! the increase would not change a thing apart from thrusttrate many young potential drivers just so the government can feel that they have played a useful part in running the country. instead of putting forward such a pathetic idea, maybe they should use their time to do something useful. yet again, teenagers are being victimised by the government and the press because of a small number of individuals.

Martin Walsh, coventry,

As a (hopefully!) sensible 16 year old, i feel it absolutely neccessary to state how unbelievably silly and thoughtless our entire government is once again appearing to be. I for one am insisting on learning enough experience in the dark/ice etc before taking my test anyway and have to say that a lot of accidents in under 21 year olds are brought on by the drivers lack of responsibility/love of speed themselves.

Sadly, i think the government know as well as we do that no law will stop a childish viewpoint of "speed loving", which i'm afraid many adults also posess. The government are merely trying to be appearing to take action.

Tom, Sudbury, Suffolk,

I cant beieve there coming up with another stupid law, i mean i am only 16 and ive already lost all fath in the goverment. I mean yes i look at driving next year as being fun and i think of all the fun i can have on camping trips, but i also think of driving to college helping my mum get my brothers to rugby. On top of this if this new law comes into affect what have they achieved loads of 17yr olds out of pocket. Oh and finally yes if they do introdue the new law it will (maybe) reduce accidents but if you bann driving you reduce accidents doesnt mean its a good bloody idea!!!

Daniel Morris, Kettering, United Kingdom

Okay, i am 17 and learning to drive i am almost ready to put in for my test. So does that mean when i am capable to take my test i am not going to be able to do it till october, my 18th? so the money i have just paid to get it done so i am do my weekly food shop and get myself to work and collage is going to be a complete waist of money? however i have heard this when my other friends and when my brother was learning to drive and nothing ever happend so i am not going to take to much notice, i guess they have just got to realise that maybe takleing the people that are all ready driving becuase they are the ones causeing the accsedent right? I say that we should be allowed to take the test when we are ready and there me a more of a zero tolerence on drink driving and more speed cameras, i am not saying i am a fan of speed cameras but maybe get the police to do their job instead of making it easier for them.

Tori, lowestoft,

I think its absoloutly descarsefull, how are folk suposed to get to town? Do they think we can afford £7 each way taxi bill? 1 bus every 1.5 hours? I can't wait to get out of the country.

Storm, NE, UK,

Another stupid idea from people it wont affect, I am 27 and have been messed up by the last clever idea to put a strangle hold on driving entitlements in 97 which I will add solved nothing. This will just help to cripple industry, the self employed, etc. I am sure that this will cost yet more money to learner drivers (again another way to get us to pay more money). I can’t believe I have to pay taxes for these genius ideas.

James Gray, New Milton, Hampshire

Are we really living? We have so many laws and restrictions, sometimes i feel like we are wearing chains. People have to accept that there will always be prats trying to show of and such. It also seems apparant to me that only the people who this wont directly affect are agreeing with this absolutly stupid law. We "live" in a world were freedom is restricted and anyone under the age of 20 is considered a lesser being. The voice of a teen or a child goes un-head but a big man or women in a expensive suit who probably has'nt interacted with the real world in a very long time decides the fate of thousands.

GROW UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES

Luke Cattaneo, Redhill, England

I think it is the worst idea in a long while, all that will hapen is that 18 year olds will drive to the bar there going to and get drunk then drive back. Plus motorway drivng is safer then driving on the backroads and you dont get drunk of a can and i think it is stupid that you can`t have any alcohol in yout system until you are 19 they should leave this `Idea` until 2010 when the school ae goes up , I am so so anoyed av been waiting all my life to drive i only had 2 years left until this now it has gone back up to 3!!!!

Matty, Hull, East Yorkshire

I dont think the driving age should go up but after rreading that i think it should go down and give young people 6 months training first. I would like to hope i will atenned college once i become the age and i cant depend on my parents takeing me daily.

pm, ballymena,

i dont think the drivin age should go up just tet i think thay should leave it untill 2010 because of the age u stop at scholl is 18 an the people who are at school now in year 11 an 10 will suffer by not beein able to get to work or collage

aj, wolverhampton,

I am unable to drive yet, but as of this year, I am attending a college that is 20 miles away from where I live. The bus fare is extortionate.
I will be attending this college for 2 years, and then plan on going to University.
College shouldn't be a problem, but university won't be so easy. Driving would be easier by far, otherwise it would take various train and bus trips everyday, as I don't plan to live there temporarily.
Whether they change the driving age limit or not, there will still be road accidents. Maybe less, but there will be more people constantly ranting about the lack of transport service in their areas..

Me, gloucester,

I dont think that it should become higher but i think it should go down lower becasue teens need to get places because sometime there parents are busy and cant take them places so if they could drive they could take them selves

Liam Fink, Rio Rancho, NM

i agree,the age limit should not be raised from jan 91. as that means that half of my college year will be able to drive and the other half not. i am very unhappy that due to 22 days i will have to wait a year more to take my test when i am a better driver than people who wer born more than 22 days earlier.

Alana, moreton,

If they change the legal age to 18 starting from the year 91, there will be a huge constrovacy due to the fact that most of these people already have provisional licences and have started lessons. However if it was to start in September 91 onwards it will be a different senario as all the people that where born that year will not already have provisional licences, this will cause less havoc.

However the best way to run the system would be the American system. This system has stood the test of time and has proven to be a successful way.

To conclude I will say the government have to think very carefully about there action due to the fact that will face much opposition from the younger generation, this is the last thing they need at a time when there is already high opposition and crime from younger people.

Gooli , London, Middlesex

what date will this change because i am 16 turning 17 in june and was born in 91 so will this affect me because my mates say it wont.

tom, west midlands, england

I think the driving age shoudnt change like some people say that young people they might work or go university/college and have responsibilities, the accidents that have been caused is only because some idiots who drink and drive, and anyway if the age goes up anyway young teenagers will strike and complain because they have waited so many years for the day when they can start driving......so the government should really not change it.......

Kazmi, Nottingham, UK

i dont think that the driving age should go up, due to when people are turning 17 they have jobs and responsibilities and how are people ment to get to there job if they cant drive, i think you should maybe consider making the older take a test again when they reach a certain age because they put others in danager.

adelle brassington, congleton, england

If the diving age is raised to 18, then the stastics will be exactly the same as it will still be inexperienced, first year drivers causing accidents. It doesn't matter what the age limit is, there will always be accident by idiots who drink and drive. Teenagers will have no where to go and we will end up with even more drunken yobs on the street corners. The majority of teens enjoy a drink but are responsible young people. They should not be judged by the few idiots who are irresponsible!!

Grace Keyworth, Kidderminster,

what a stupid idea! there will always be idiots on the road and im sure the mp's are some of them driving around in their expensive cars thinking they know what is what! there are sensible young people an all! what about younger people who have a long way to travel to college or when their parents wont drive them around anymore! they should seriously rethink this one!!!!

alice , Rochdale, uk

i am also 16 and in september i would like to start driving becuase my sister also started when she was 17, there are some people out there that get drunk etc and then drive and it is that population of Teens that are causing this for other teenagers to start driving at the age of 17. it also makes you feel more independant and it gives you a thing to look forward to whilst at college or sixth form.

Timothy Kok, Basildon, England

what a stupid idiotic waste of time!!, you do drivers between the age of 18 and 40 drive like idiots??, well why not put the age up to 50?, then that might solve your problems. no matter what age groups are on the road there will always be unexperienced nervous drivers and the reckless ones.
Gordon brown i class him or call him "pathetic"
what a life? its not going to do much!!!!

sean, melrose, scotland

personally i dont think that the idea f raising the age limit to 18 is a bad idea, one year is not much difference and also it is the legal limit of people being able to drink the two should be kept seperate. The no alcohol ruling is a very good idea however. you are likely to encourage more problems by increasing the age by one year than what it is worth.

Harri, UK,

im 16 and will be starting my driving lessons in feb i think this is a totally stupid idea to raise the age at the age of 17 your an adult and should be aloud to drive and other people of this age shouldnt get punished because there are other reckless drivers out there and it would save my dad alot of time as hes my taxi at the moment.

sarah, oxford, uk

im 17 and have just started driving its my passion, i wouldnt be reckless even if i tried geting behind the wheel makes me feel free and independent to cruise the roads like a dove. please dont ruin my life

katie pike, luton,

Hi there i think that changing the age is really silly i tottally dissagree with the idea and think it should be scrapped in every way shape and form i am 16 and will be driving in january 09 and will be really upset if the age limit rises i strongley disagree it will also save my mum alot of work ferrying me from place to place all the time. i hope i have got my point accross

Dan, orpington, england

i think if you change it to 18 you might see a difference in number of deaths but you will see an massive increase in kids joy riding if you

ali, derby, uk

I am also 16 and can not wait to start driving!!
I am already working and planning on going to college out of my town!!
For me not to be able to drive until I am 18 will mean that I will have restricted independence and be relying on my parents to ferry me place to place!!

Dawn, Luton, England

im 16 and i think changing the age is stupid i live in a small viliage in the middle of nowere and it takes me nearly 2 hours to get to college on but and personaly i cant wait to start driving coz it means i dont have to walk 4 miles to my bus stop so dont change the age just be more careful who you allow to have licences.

stacey, stogumber, somerset

I think this is stuped. i am 16 and just payed out alot of money for a moped and now i wont be able to drive it. if the law goes up all that is going to happen is you will fine more people driving without a lisence. It is not younge people thast are dangeruse on the road it is the elderly drivers.
some university courses you need to have a c1 on your driving lisens to do the course and now you cant even get a lisense for example to there is a course to become a paromedic at uni.
i think they are going the wrong way i agreee with the 1 year learngin but if they are going to do it it sould be from 17 and not include the age rubbish. i think if everyone writes to number 10 they will relise how this is bad. young people need to stand up and be herd say no!!!

George Vincent, wells, somerset

i Am 15 & want to drive.I have wanted to drive since i was a wee girl young people are moiture drivers the same as adults. Adults probarly speed more than 17 & 18 Yeer Olds. I dont see whats the matter with under age drivers...put out more cameras make life more easier instead of young people wanting drive so badly they cant !

hayley fullerton, paisley, scotland

i'm 16 now, i've been driving since i was 10 due to living on a farm and my dad owning a garage, i think that if the age raises now it will be completely unfair on the good drivers who aren't going to cause deaths on the road. i think raising the age will just cause dispute all over the UK... why not try making the test more difficult so that you leave with more expierence and only the better drivers would pass.

Callum, Cheltenham,

i am 17 and have passed my test, i am one of the more experienced drivers in my year group because i did the advanced driving test. also i learned in a bm 328 coupe. i had been looking forward to driving because it gives you freedom and i agree with Scott from Lanark, people need to be able to drive when they are 17 because of transport to and from work. i feel sorry for those who are younger and are going to have to wait another year. but even though you are putting up the age do you really think that they are going to be calmer with there right foot for having to wait another year, i think not.

john, carlisle,

I am sixteen, seventeen this may and have been looking forward to being able to drive since i was little.
i think it is out of order to stereotype all seventeen year olds, i agree that some act very irresponsibly on the road and are a danger to themselves and others, but we are not all like that!
instead of this probationary period or raising the age to 18, why don't they make the test more rigourous, wth more aspets of knowledge, this way you will gain you license will more experience of driving and a better knowledge or cars and roads.
i would be devesated if i was told i couldnt drive after waiting my whole life!!

Liam Donelly, birmingham, enlgand

i have had a provisional driving licence for around 6 months now and i have been driving a moped i am looking forward to taking my driving test when i turn 17 i am a good driver and do not think that it is fair to raise the age limit because not all young people are bad drivers if anything i believe that the driving tests should be more intense and require a lot more knowledge to be able to pass them

sarah, mansfield, england

They have been suggesting to raise the age limit for years now, personally i think its a terrible idea if you look at more figures you will see it isnt just new drivers that cause accidents some are due to the excitement but not all are. I think people who require more experience should be getting this before being allowed to drive anyway more should be done and people who sat their tests before 1990 should have to do it again because its all changed the testing is more stricter.

I am 16, i have been driving since i was 12 due to my dad owining a garage i have had 4 years experience at driving all types of cars from small to SUV's to sports cars such as a lotus elise i know i can pass my test first time a driving instructor has even said im capable of doing it.

People need transport, when people leave school and get a job they need some way of getting there and dont say public transport is the answer, i live in the countryside where there is no public transport

Scott, Braehead, Lanark UK

I believe it is unfair to restrict the freedom of people at the age of seventeen. Many people who are just reaching the age of seventeen will be relying on a car to get to and from work/college. It would be impossible to do so without a method of personal transport (most popular being a car). This would result in fewer young people getting jobs or alternately limit the options of post sixteen education available. On top of this the reduction in young people in employment would surely effect the economy in some way.

Also, young people who will miss out on attaining their license before they age is raised will turn to mopeds for transport. Surely a car is more safer than a moped only capable (legally) of 30mph? If anything, raising the driving age will only result in the death of more young motorcyclists.

Mark Walker, Wolverhampton, England

Rumours are it is going up in July/August preventing people who have a birthday in August. Is it true?

If this is true that is soo unfair since my brithday is in August and that cuts right at the end of my school year (year), meaning i am going to be one of very few in my year not being able to drive, you can't blame every 17 year old for a minority who spoil it.

Please do not raise the age!!

Ian, Bridgend, Wales

Driving is a responsibility... a huge responsibility. But you have to look at the wider picture. People who are 17 aren't babies. They know the responsibilities, or atleast most of them do. This is what always happens in life. The majority gets punished because of the minority. It's the same with insurance and everything else.
I think this idea is overall quite good as it shouldnt affect me but alot of 17 year olds need to drive. At the end of the day... they can work at 16 and for alot of jobs in the modern world driving is a must have skill. So even though i think it is a good idea i dont believe it to be a practical one so i will have to say i disagree with it.

Tom Casey, North East, England

Ive just read about 20 of the comments... I think the government need to read up on what the public are saying about this... And I completely agree with someone who said about the smoking age going up to 18 and what difference does that make? Its made none what so ever... I should know, I was 16 when they raised the age and Im having no trouble at all getting cigarettes now - just as i had no trouble when I was under 16. Im never really particularly interested in politics but its ideas like this (which are obviously disliked by the public) that really get to me. And I don't know if its just me thats noticed it but its ever since Tony Blairs gone? Stop diminishing the freedom of the teenage generation - the majority of us are good people, and should be treated that way.

Laura , Hampshire,

I disagree with this also. When I will be 18 I hopefully will be in collage and when will I have the time to learn how to drive? I think that the better answer would be that 17 year olds can only drive a car with a small engine. It doen't matter how old you are because if you drive a pwerfull car you will put you foot down. In the U.S.A. you can drive when your 16 and do they have a larger death rate than us?

Kerry, Wales,

i disagree

bill, bethlhem,

if we finish school at the age of 16 then we need transportation to get us work when we are 17, if the age limit goes up if reduces my chance of getting the job i want. if u want to try and stop so many deaths u should limit the engine power give to newly passed driver insted of not letting them drive at all

christopher carmody, cardiff, wales

I'm a 16 year old who will be learning to drive in about 3 months i live in the middle of nowhere so it a definate need for me to begin driving as soon as i can because as this means i can travel to school and work, so putting the driving age up to 18 will just be stupid as many teenagers around me will be learning to drive at this time. We are trusted to get married and have children at 16 so why are we not trusted with a car. Please just keep the age at 17 as not all of the teenagers learning to drive are dangerous like the minority that cause accidents

ashleigh mcdonald, blairgowrie,

I am a passed driver and i passed within 3 months of turning 17.
I was never a good driver till i got the experiance of nobody telling me what to do. I learnt by myself by making decisions for all types of situations.
By moving the age up will one increase the use of mopeds being used by 16 year olds.(which we all no is more dangerous that and 17 year old driving) and secondly will put many driving instructors out of jobs.
All this problems to solve somthing which must have other soultions too.

jamie, london,

I think that making all 17 year olds drive on a provisional for a year is a stupid idea. At 16 you can join the army, and possibly have the risk of dieing for your country, now why should people be able to die for a crap country like this at 16, but be deprived of driving on their own until they are 18. Why cant the government see that changing age limits is never going to solve anything, the smoking age went up to 18, what good has it done, there are still many under 16's around the country smoking! Just leave things the way they are!!

Nick EVans, Rugeley, Staffs

As a driving instructor this proposal would probably put me out of work as about 90% of my pupils are 17. it would also reduce the amount of people taking the test so making examiners fail more people to keep them in work. Although most younger people are involved in crashes I do not think this is the answer. The answer is to police the roads properly and keep the idiots off the road not take it out on the inocent people. If the age limit goes up to 18 then all that will do is stop 17 year olds being involved in accidents but make 18 year olds be involved in accidents. Police the roads properly is the answer!!!

Andy, Coventry,

i was so egar to pay driving and get a car as i am approaching 17, i was thinking to drive safely as i am extremely good at obeying the law, but this is just another shock to me in this sense as i was so passionate to drive safely by passing, this has totally ruined my passion, thanks.

azzy, leeds, u.k

there will be an immense problem for me as i live in village and was planning to start lessons.

azzy, leeds, u.k

My Youngest daughter wont be 18 till 3 weeks before she goes to university in 2010 and therefore wont have chance to learn to drive before she goes, she wont be the only one in this position- so only those who dont ever go to uni will have the chance to be on the road at 18!!!!!!! that means any intelligent kids will be denied the opportunity to learn to drive unitl they have finished does this really solve the problem? I dont think so! I would rather her learn while she is at home and we can give advice and support rather than be thrown in a the deep end when she is older.

Liz, Nottingham,

I think this proposal is pointless. I am coming up to 17, and before I heard abou this I was eager to drive and pass my test. Now i'm considering not trying to learn straight away. What is the point of learning how to drive for a year when you can't go anywhere without another qualified driver. They might aswell drive and you can save money on not having to buy insurance. I don't wana be paying high insurance rates for a year when I can only drive around with an adult by my side. It would be a waste of time and money.
Along with that, they say it will be safer to have the year learning, but thats a fat lotta good when you get smashed into buy another young driver who hasn't had to wait to get the test when you have.
There really is little good from this in my eyes.

My last thought is that it is very convienient to have the same age limit for the legal drinking age and the legal dirving age. What a nice combination to have. Seems to me like someone hasn't thought this through.

Ed, Taunton, England

fuk the Association of British Insurers and their stupid proposals, if they want a 12 month trainin period, that'll mean tht i cant drive myself to college every mornin, in my second year, and my parents cant as they work so i'll have to use buses again and they are shite tbh as they never turn up when u need them and as a car journey takes about 10 mins from my house to college a bus can take anywhere up to 1 and half hours!!! as i need to make a change half way throgh too and they are always late!
Also i bet their stupid trainin programme is gonna cost loads too, as if they arent rakin the money in already from all the young drivers around now, so wat i reckon is, that if they wanna like bring in this 12 month programme, they should pay for it and decrease every young drivers insurance cost by at least 50%.

n00b, WUSTA,

My first thought when I heard that the government was going to raise the legal driving age was of horror, this is not because I feel that 17 is a good age to learn to drive but the problem is much bigger for people like myself and my daughter, as we live in a village in rural Surrey and public transport is vertually non existant not to mention that that the nearest bus stop is a 40 minute walk away down roads some of which have no footpaths and in the winter are very poorly lit and isolated!
My daughter is due to attend the nearest college in September '08 and by car is a 7 minute drive away but is very difficult by public transport, and until she can drive herself I am unable to return to work as I will need to take her and collect her on winter evenings. so she needs to drive in order to get from a to b. There are a lot areas where owning a car is imperative. The Government as ever need to look at the bigger picture and the true impact of what they propose!

K Hill, Mayford, England

Driving is an important factor for people when they reach the age of 17, and essential for travel to work or college. Most people are thankful that they can drive at 17, and want to drive for the necessity, not the thrill. Young drivers causing accidents cannot be stopped by raising the age, even if they cannot drive untill 25, they are still the same person, and will be the same driver. Increasing the age is definatley not the answer

Andy, Manchester,

i am 16 and planning to leave school at the end of this year. I am planning to get a job in a hospital in edinburgh. My family are moving to a farm in the scottish borders. I will not be able to get a bus or train to edinburgh without at least a 20 minute drive. As my parents both have full time jobs they will not be able to drive me. When they baught a new house they were under the impression that i would be able to drive soon after i left school however if this changes in am left in a situation where i can't get to whare i need to be! i am stuck!

Sarah, Dunbar, Scotland

Personaly i feel this is BS! This is simpy a quick fix for a period of a year or so yes accidents in the 17-25 year group will fall with less 17-25's sitting the test and passing. Percentages will fall and reports released on the governments success. A year on and it will come apparant that the previous stats for 17-25 look awfully similair to those of the new 18-26's what then will they increase the driving age to 19. Oh few years on and 19-27's are crashing lets increase to 20 then 21 then 22 then 23 .. 30 then 31 when will this absolute complete stupidity stop. Increasing the age changes nothing the new drivers on the streets will always have less expericance than those who have been driving for 10 years, accidents involving people with less expericaned drivers is always going to happen. The key to fixing the problem is to make it more dificult to pass your test, im not saying make it impossible but providing the new drivers with the skills and experiance to stay safe is the answer.

Shaun Oman, Wick, Caithness

Firstly, at the age of 18 you can legally buy alcohol meaning that the urge to drink will be even greater for newly qualified drivers. Secondly, many 17 year olds depend on cars for transport to work but as usual, the government expect everybody to either take the bus, ride a bike or walk. As for the motorway ban, what really is the point in stopping young drivers from using the motorway because i believe that the motorways are the safest roads we have and more accidents happen on congested streets. I think its about time the government listened to the voice of the people instead of making stupid decisions between themselves! Remember, todays youngster is tomorows voter.

Ryan Mitchell-Lay, Larkhall, Scotland

I think Britain should bring out the same driving system as they have in Australia, being able to drive from the age of 16, they start their driving lessons from 15. They are not allowed over 60 Miles per hour or allowed to drive at night without having a number of night driving lessons. For their first year of driving they must show red "P" plates and for the second year green "P" plates.

Ryan Mitchell-Lay, Larkhall, Scotland

so why make it 18?

Mark Stewart, Larkhall, Scotland

I think that the driving age should not raised to 18 because the law shouldn't be changed just because there are a few idiots on the road showing off and trying to be "cool" to their "mates" because some of us will need their own way of getting around like where there isn't any public transport in remote areas of Dorset and like Daniels comment where it is too dangerous to ride a moped in places. Instead of taking drastic measures and changing the driving age, I think that there should be a zero alcohol limit instead . It would also be a reasonable idea to limit people under the age of 22 or something to use low powered cars which only give out a maximum of 90bhp.

Martin, Sturminster Newton,

i think that driving age shoudl not be raised because not everyone would make the same mistakes as the fools who did before. I want ot drive when i am 17 and i cant wait. I need to drive to get to my college because taking publib transport is too difficult. I think that teenagers should have a chance to have their say and we say no to raising the minimum age to drive!!

Jasmine Lokadoon, southall,

at 16 I'm counting the days til i can drive.. with soo many life changing decisions i have made (in regards to education/working) so at 17 you make the responsible choice that you wish learn how to drive; then this should be one thing that as young adults, we should have controll over. After being tested the results will show whether we should drive or not! with smoking gone up i agree with as its which is very benificial helps every1 especially the next generation according to health. please dont judge all young people for the mistakes of others!

jess, kent,

I live 5 miles from the nearest bus stop, I started college recently and as i am only 16 I have to drive a moped to this bus stop. I live in rural part of Mid wales where there are lots of steep, twisty dangerous roads and i feel extremely unsafe on a moped!!. I would not be able to carry on at college if I didnt get a car soon as there is no transport available from here and I would not be able to use my moped during the winter.!!

Daniel, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales

my view on this is that this is completely stupid a few teens aged 17 and over might show off yet it is same with older men and women i believe this is an other form of sterotyping brought onto teens i know this as i am 16 now and am looking forward to taking my test so i can become more independent i now have no way of reaching college on time as buses are almost never on time and my universaity is unreachable by one bus so i have to take many buses which is not a cheap pleasant experience and i think most people who agree that this is fair are people who believe that it is fair to blame and force teens to strugle please lets not make our future hard for us put yourself in our shoes when u was 17 how independant did you feel ??

Aaron White, barnsley, south yorkshire

I think this is a superb Idea, I have been driving for just two years myself now, and I NEVER drive on a drop of alcohol. Last winter, I was introduced to ice, black ice, and snow, resulting in an accident because I was inexperienced in those conditions. similarly I have had several near misses where other drivers are inexperienced with poor visibility and bad weather. I also think the pass plus should be inforced upon everyone who holds a licence. I took one after my accident and the benefits are huge, you become so much more aware of whats going on & how to deal with extreme conditions/situations. I agree that inexperience and overconfidence is the killer, but when the majority of 17 year olds are just that what else can you do. Also driving on Private roads is very different to driving in the real world!

Trish, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

I think even the idea in raising the driving age from 17 to 18 is ridiculous it doesn't matter what age you are if you drive fast and dont take care on the road then your going to cause a accident. i was in a crash earlier in the year my boyfriend (who was 17 at the time) was doing 20 mph round a corner and another driver (58) coming from the opposite direction was going too fast (40mph) to take the turn and came across the road into the front of our car. so this proves its not the age that causes accidents.

Gemma, Isle of Wight, UK

ib cabada people can get their learners permit at 16 but they can only drive with one friend in the car at the mmost but they can fill the car with family. why dont we do something like this because drivers mainly show of if they have friends in the car. i dont care if i have friends in the car but i need my driving licence to get to work and stuff!!! who the hell put you in charge of telling me what to do with my life.

in newzeland people can drive at the time they are 14 or 15??? so why the hell are we putting our driving age up to 18 again???

april, bristol, england

I turned 16 in October and have been driving on private land for the past 3 years on and off. I think it's unfair and criminal to stop under 17's from driving and also its not age that kills it's inexperience and overconfidence behind the wheel.

Simon, Derby, Derbyshire

I absolutely cannot believe that this is happening. As nick said, you cannot do it just a random day in the year. It is toatally unfiar that some people in my year group (year 12) can drive and others like me cant. How is that fair, if your going to do it, then make it by school years (year 13 cut off date) This will absolutely ruin my life all i have wanted to do for the last 3 years is drive myself around. Not to pose a danger and try to kill people! this is ridiculous, you cant do this to us! Its not going to make any difference anyway, as has been already said. no matter how old you are, people drive cars fast. 17 or 35? what difference does it make? Please dont do this to us. Its morally unfair.

Taylor Conway, Essex, UK

I'm 16 now and by the time they move up the age limit I'll be about 2 months from being able to drive. I need to be able to get to university by car at 18 and i wont be able to do it if I'm having to learn to drive at 18.

mia quarterman, evesham, united kingdom

I was going to say something but seeing as stephan has just said everything for me i dont need to. I am also 16 and the one thing i will say is that if the government do raise the driving age then it should be done by school years not a random day in the year which would stop all people after that day from driving and allowing all there peers to drive. it would ruin my last year at 6th form!

Nick Evans, South woodham Ferrers, England

I think this is crap. If they take the age up to 18 all it will do is make more 18 year old's get killed on the roads and make the under 25 rate go up to under 26. changing the the age from 17 to 18 will not help the rate at all. I am 16 and since i was 4 years old all i have wanted is my driving licence and now i am within a year of getting it, it is going up. Yer we get the odd people who all they want to do is show off and go fast but i personally no 30 year old's that have just pasted there test and do that and have crashed. Changing the age will not make a diffence. We seem to be following the U.S.A in everything else we do so why can't we do the same here and let us drive at 16. This country is ment to have freedom of speech and we should be able to say what we think and have a say what goes on in the conutry but latly that has been taken away. Example the smoking ban did we get a say in that. the goverment needs to sort its self out and think what is really best for BRITAIN!!!!

Stephen, swansea, wales

i believe that increasing the legal driving age will affect many young people because at the age of 17 you start to go 2 university and college and maybe a different 6th form and so on
you hold a lot of new responsibilities and if someone is responsible enough to carry on their education they are responsible to drive safely.

Raz Shah, Bradford, England, West Yorkshire

I think this is crap. If they take the age up to 18 all it will do is make more 18 year old's get killed on the roads and make the under 25 rate go up to under 26. Changing the age from 17 to 18 will not help the rate at all. I am 16 and since I was 4 years old all I have wanted is my driving licence and now I am within a year of getting it, it is going up. Yer we get the odd people who all they want to do is show off and go fast but i personally no 30 year old's that have just pasted there test and do that and have crashed. Changing the age will not make a difference. We seem to be following the U.S.A in everything else we do so why can't we do the same here and let us drive at 16. This country is meant to have freedom of speech and we should be able to say what we think and have a say what goes on in the country but lately that has been taken away. Example the smoking ban did we get a say in that. The government needs to sort its self out and think what is really best for BRITAIN!!

Stephen, swansea, wales

raising the driving age won't help at all. if you can pass the test at 17 that means you can drive according to all of th highway code and just because your now 18 won't change the fact you are able to drive according to the highway code.

many 16 year olds are waiting patiently for 1 more year to be able to drive not just because they'll be cool in school but mostly because of their need to drive. some families can't drive and so when their 16 year old grows up and is able to drive their lives become easier.

i myself am 1 of these 16 year olds. i have 2 autistic brothers. is means i can't go to many experiences because my mother must stay with them at all times and so she can't take me anywhere and public transport is so bad that it is not worth the hassle. my ability to drive would mean i could take my brothers.

just remember we are all going to become your voters and some your colleagues so think carefully about how you treat us

james Renwick, wallington, surrey

So where do the statistics show how many 17 year olds cause death by driving a car. The age of 25 years and below to show statistics is laughable. Afterall how many 45 year olds cause death by driving a car, you never hear of those exact figures do you.

My son is not looking at going to college full-time when he finishes school next July (2008), he turns 17 in September 2008 and as he is going on to do a Mechanical Engineering Appreticeship that could be anywhere within a 50 mile radius of Swansea he would be expected to commute - ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT, I THINK NOT - so yet again those powers that be have become blinkered and unable to see the future of our economy being completely undermined because our young people will not be able to go to work and learn a trade in order to fulfill their ambitions.

Our 'wrapped in cotton wool' politicians (who never drive anywhere) need to consult with the young ambitious people of this country (future voters Mr Brown) and not tar all the same

Sue Spencer, Swansea, UK

soo has the age gone up or not?

luke, lewisham,

Whats the matter with you people! This country is becoming such a cotton wool society nowaday, i dont understand how one more year will change anybodys actions. Firstly, at the age of 18 you can legally buy alcohol meaning that the urge to drink will be even greater for newly qualified drivers. Secondly, many 17 year olds depend on cars for transport to work but as usual, the government expect everybody to either take the bus, ride a bike or walk. As for the motorway ban, what really is the point in stopping young drivers from using the motorway because i believe that the motorways are the safest roads we have and more accidents happen on congested streets. I think its about time the government listened to the voice of the people instead of making stupid decisions between themselves! Remember, todays youngster is tomorows voter.

Michael Newell, Romford, Essex

Forget lowering the age limit youths are invincible at 18 too.
Set a maximum BHP so that they cannot drive any car produced or modified above this. This will reduce deaths more than any other factor.
In the 70's the government went about it the wrong way with motorcycles by allowing a 250cc engine to be ridden by learners. This allowed, mainly the Japanese, to produce 100mph+ motorcycles that were legal. The death toll was foreseeable but not by those in power. Don't make the same mistake and use engine size as a limit, it doesn't work.

Secondly reduce the population of this country by 20 million and give everyone the space to drive a car including 17 year olds! Congestion is the major influence in low speed accidents.

David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK

THE GOVERNMENT IS ADDRESSING THE SITUATION IN A COMPLETE STATE OF IGNORANCE. It seems the older polotitions have forgotton what its like being a young adult and not been able to drive. Haveing to get from place to place by either dragging a hesident parent out to take you or haveing to use THE PISS POOR TRANSPORT SYSTEM(im sure it has'nt changed much since they used it- sort it out !!!).
To say someone is able to drive better at 18 than 17 is ridiculous,as it depends completly on the individual. Also THE SCIENTIFIC FACT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RETAIN INFORMATION AND LEARN NEW SKILLS BETTER THE YOUNGER WE ARE COMPLETELY CONTRODICTS THAT ARGUEMENT.
A persons attitude dosent change over a year and lets face it there are always going to be idiots that are just accidents waiting to happen and the only thing thats going to get them to slow down is a good scare.
YOU CANT CHANGE THE HUMAN NATURE TO PUSH THE LIMITS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sean, nottingham,

Yes, there are problems, but the authorities are again re-acting by knee-jerk, sound-bite and must-be-seen-to-be-doing-something'ism, without reason or logic.

1. Males under 25 WILL drive like crazy for a certain time, whether they begin at 14 or 24.
Start them at 12!

2. ZERO alcohol? A tighter limit by all means, but alcohol is produced in the body, especially by those who eat fruit -- eg 5 a day? Not thinking, are we?

3. "Almost one in two drivers killed at night is under 25." This figure is meaningless unless accompanied by the proportion of night-time drivers who are under 25. Most boxing injuries are sustained by people under 50.

4. Motorways?!!? Ban inexperienced drivers from what are, even with their presence, our safest roads by far? That this idea has even arisen says much about the proposals and about the way in which the proposers approached their task.

PS: there may be many typos -- sorry. This miserable little text window occupies 6% of my screen!

Gordon Semple, Garstang, UK

I am eagerly awaiting my seventeenth birthday and i'm frankly sick and tired of young people being used as scapegoats all the time! It is utterly ludicrous to raise the driving age, in my opinion its OAPs causing the majority of problems and they are the ones that should be re-tested! Leave us alone! Punishing us is not the answer to the lunitic drivers out there!

Annoyed Teenager, Cambridge,

Like many others have said, the age is not the issue it is the experience levels! It is experience that counts!

If you look at the current test, it is ridiculous! For instance you are not required to show the ability to drive on a motorway yet after 40minutes with the examiner your magically legally allowed to do so, but don't worry because you can demonstrate where you can top up your radiator!

I've done several driving courses and those are the real skills needed in case of an emergency. Why are you not required to demonstrate the ability to handle a car under a skid or how to appropriately avoid a child that may run out in front of you!

I think the test needs to be broadened in its expectations of new drivers and a requirement of 30hrs under proffesional instruction in varios conditions (at least driving at night/darkness) and as mentioned above don't moan about the costs as your insurance and the cost of petrol won't be much cheaper!

Answer me that Gordon!

Mark Kohter, Essex, England

Surely the government has missed the point again, if young car drivers were restricted to less powerful engines for 2 years after passing their test, much like young motorcyclists, then they would be less likely to be involved in fatal accidents. It is not the amount of time spent with the instructor which improves skills but experience. This way they can gain that experience without having a vehicle which is capable of such dangerous speeds.

G Skinner, Aberdeen, UK

This is absolutely ridiculous. Driving lessons are far too expensive for people to have to pay for even more of them. Some people will learn to drive faster than others therefore