There are some major new changes due in 2017 that can affect New Drivers. Not only will the law be changing in respect of using your mobile phone whilst driving, but we may also see the driving test undergo some big changes too.

Let’s look at these changes and analyse how they could have an effect on New Drivers…

The Law is changing…

The law is changing on 1st March 2017, when it comes to using your mobile phone whilst driving. Tougher penalties are being introduced in an attempt to improve road safety.

The current penalty is: 3 points on your licence and a fine of £100. Your case could even go to court, where you could be disqualified from driving, and get a maximum fine of £1,000.

Under the new law, after 1st March 2017, if you are caught using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel, the penalties will increase to a £200 fine, and 6 points on your licence.

As a new driver, within your first two years of driving, your licence will be automatically revoked if you get given 6 or more penalty points on your licence.

The driving test is set to change…

The driving test as we know it is all set to change, if the proposed changes go ahead this year. According to The Mirror, these things will be added to the driving test:

• Following instructions from a sat-nav device
• Reversing into, and out of, parking bays
• Vehicle safety
• Doubling the independent driving section from 10 minutes to 20 minutes

And these things will be removed from the driving test:

• Reversing around the corner
• Independent driving using road signs

Steve Gooding, (director of the RAC Foundation), has said that: “The planned tests reflect the real world better.”

He also said: “These proposed changes recognise that it is more important for candidates to demonstrate the capability to drive independently on high-risk roads than being able to reverse flawlessly into a quiet cul-de-sac.”

Insurance for New Drivers

Insurance for New Drivers has often been looked on as a bit of a ‘nightmare’. However, it doesn’t have to be. Here at Safely Insured we provide Black Box Insurance which can not only help you improve your driving skills, but also potentially lower your renewal premium (should you drive well). Want to know more? Visit our Young Drivers Insurance page.