SWOV positions

30 October 2007

The Dutch Minister of Transport Camiel Eurlings wants to make it possible for 17 year olds to pass their driving test. However, until they are 18 these young drivers will only be allowed to drive a car when accompanied. The minister's initiative could be the first step toward the introduction of the graduated driving licence for the under-25s which SWOV is in favour of.

The experiences with accompanied driving in Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and recently Germany are very positive. In Sweden, 16 year olds can drive accompanied, but they cannot take their driving test until they are 18. Only after having passed their driving test are they allowed to drive unaccompanied. The introduction of this system in Sweden caused a 45% drop in the crash rates in the first two years after having obtained a driving licence. A precondition here is that a large mileage, about 5,000 kilometres, must be covered while driving accompanied.