DRIVING instructors have spoken out over proposed driving reform for new drivers.

The Department of Transport is considering safety changes, which include no driving at night and not being allowed to carry passengers, as part of a proposed Graduated Driver Licence (GDL).

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Pete Leach, 53, from Worcester, who runs the Startin’ Young Driving School, said: “I don’t think this will make driving safer for new drivers, particularly the young.

“People living in the countryside would find it difficult to get around in terms of seeing friends, getting to college and work.

“How will driving at night be enforced - if drivers have to be back before dark, they could end up driving over the speed limit to be back in time for a given curfew, so I think this is a bad move.

“Not carrying passengers sounds ok but again, how will this be enforced.”

Former driving instructor Kevin Heywood, 55, said: “I like these intended changes as it’s just like what they do in Australia, already, making young and new drivers safer.

“It will allow the person who’s just got their licence to focus on driving, rather than bravado with passengers in the car with them, distracting them.

“The driving test shows a person is safe on the road but by driving on your own, that is where skills are perfected such as spatial awareness, timing and fluid predicting traffic behaviour."

Brake, the road safety charity welcome the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), saying it will allow new drivers to practice their skills, particularly young drivers who are at high risk of serious and fatal crashes.

The charity said in terms of night driving, preventing young drivers from getting behind the wheel between 11pm and 6am is one of the most effective ways at reducing deaths, as young drivers are at a higher risk at night.

Passengers are distracting, they claim, providing peer pressure and a potential crash could lead to more people being killed with a full car.