Learner drivers may be forced to wait six months before they can take a test, under new plans unveiled by the government, Sky News understands.
Ministers are considering introducing a minimum learning period for new drivers in England and Wales.
The move, which would be subject to consultation, is part of a wider road safety strategy being launched on Wednesday.
The government believes introducing either a three or six-month learning period could save lives and reduce the number of crashes.
Almost one in four fatal and serious collisions involve a driver aged 17-24, despite this group making up just 6% of licence holders.
This period would include any informal learning somebody might do with their parents or guardians, as well as formal, paid driving lessons.
The timeframe would be between learners taking their theory test and their practical test, and that ensuring a gap would enable them to develop their driving skills in different conditions.
It means that it would end the era of young learners passing their test just days after their 17th birthday, with the youngest people with a driving licence becoming those 17-and-a-half by default.
