Still in School & Banned from Driving

Book Theory Test Today delves deeper into shocking new figures that show children, not old enough to take a theory test or practical exam, getting banned from driving. 

Shocking new figures released by the DVSA reveal that children as young as 12 are among 230 children under the age of 17 to receive driving bans. 

Book Theory Test Today says: “It’s understood that a 12 year-old girl, three 12 year-old boys, and seven other youngsters aged 12 and 13 have been hit with a driving disqualification. The data was revealed following a Freedom of Information request issued by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).”

Simon Best, Chief Executive of IAM, said: “It’s a real concern that youngsters not even eligible to hold a provisional licence, take a theory test or practical exam are being banned at such young ages.”

He continued: “Parents need to be aware their children are putting their own lives and those of others at huge risk by taking the wheel of a car on public roads.”

Although banned, the disqualifications won’t actually come into effect until each of them has passed a theory test, practical exam and possess a full driving licence, whatever age that this is achieved.

An excerpt from the published data shows that those disqualified since July 2013 reveal one 12-year-old has been banned and three 12-year-old boys, while four boys aged 13 have been hit with a disqualification in the period along with 26 boys and five girls aged 14 and 12 girls and 99 boys aged 15. All these youngsters are too young to hold a provisional licence to take the necessary theory test and practical exam.

In total, the data shows that 92,136 people in the UK were banned from driving between July 2013 and June 2014. From the total figure, 62,000 remain disqualified.

Of the 92,136 banned, 36,001 were from the 20-30 age range, 31,668 of which were men. Just 3,874 of driving bans featured motorists in their 60s and only 15% of the grand total involved female drivers.

IAM Chief Executive, Mr Best, said: “These statistics strongly reflect the research we have already carried out in this area – that young males are very much the at risk group when it comes to driving safety.”

He added: “We believe targeting the attitudes of these drivers specifically, through advanced training for example, should be a major part of future road safety campaigning. There’s also talk of making serial motoring offenders re-take the theory test and practical exam.”

In a statement from AA Driving School managing director, Jim Kirkwood, he said: “These figures reflect the poor attitude to road safety some young people sadly adopt. We need to help encourage them develop a more responsible attitude. Education is the best way and it needs to start with road safety on the National Curriculum.”

He added: “Such education will carry through to theory test preparation the theory test itself and finally the practical exam. Given the level of testing drivers go through, there should be no excuse for fully licenced drivers getting banned. A minority of motorists, even with sufficient knowledge are setting a bad example for the next generation of drivers.”

Book Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…   

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 at 10:27 pm and is filed under Book Theory Test Today, Book Theory Test Today News. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.