New road safety initiative launched to support parents and guardians of novice drivers

From today, parents can access free, evidence‑based resources to support new drivers in passing their test and developing safer driving behaviours.

Leading experts in the motoring industry including road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, behavioural scientist Dr Elizabeth Box, the RAC Foundation and the motoring organisation the RAC have collaborated to produce downloadable resources designed to support young drivers throughout the learning process and beyond.

The resources focus on the key role parents and guardians can play in supporting safer driving behaviours during supervised practice and the transition to independent driving. They include:

• Parental Guidance: Practical guidance for supervised practice as well as best practice hints and tips to help parents and guardians support learning, encourage safer habits and become more effective driving coaches.

• Practice to Pass Scorecards: Qualified instructor informed checklists designed to help learners build well-rounded driving skills across different driving environments while reinforcing positive driving behaviours.

• Parent-Teen Agreement: A framework to help families set clear, co-operative expectations around vehicle access and safer independent driving from the outset. The agreement also encourages conversations around higher-risk situations, such as night-time driving and carrying peer-age passengers.

These resources are designed to supplement Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) paid training and support safer driving behaviours beyond the practical test where new drivers are often at high risk of being involved in a collision Parents and guardians are encouraged to work closely with ADIs during the learning process.

In September 2025, research published by Dr Elizabeth Box and the RAC Foundation* found international evidence demonstrating that parental involvement is a ‘central, modifiable influence on young driver safety’. The report also concluded that parents’ influence extends beyond a practical test through ‘multiple, interacting pathways including supervision, vehicle access decisions, role modelling, communication and relational dynamics.’

Young drivers aged 17-24 remain at high risk of being involved in a serious collision**. In 2024, more than a fifth (22%) of those killed in a road traffic collision involved cars being driven by a young car driver. Young male drivers are especially vulnerable with the same age group being four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 and over.

IAM RoadSmart director of policy and communications Nicholas Lyes said: “Young drivers continue to be a high-risk group and although the UK Government has set out reforms to the learning process, road safety experts felt compelled to establish optional tools to bolster safety right now. The evidence shows parental engagement can have a positive impact on the learning and safety of new drivers, so we’re delighted to be able to launch these new supporting materials with other road safety advocates which we believe can help reduce the number of young drivers involved in serious collisions.”

Dr Elizabeth Box, Director of ECM Research Solutions said: “The learning-to-drive period can be both exciting and daunting for parents, guardians and young drivers alike. International evidence shows that parents and guardians play a hugely important role in shaping early driving habits and behaviours, both during learning and after a test has been passed. Yet many families in the UK currently receive very little practical guidance on how to support young drivers through supervised practice and the early months of solo driving. While information alone will not solve the challenges facing novice driver safety, providing accessible, evidence-based support is an important first step, and we hope these resources will help families feel more confident, encourage constructive conversations and support safer driving during the transition from learning to driving independently.”

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: “Parents can play a key role in helping their children learn to drive and pass their tests, but doing so can be challenging. As it’s often said, passing the driving test is only the first stage in becoming a driver and everything from there on is all about building positive experience. These resources are designed to give parents and guardians useful tools to help make their novice drivers as safe as possible behind the wheel both before and after passing the test. Those just embarking on their driving careers can also get help learning the rules of the road by using the RAC Driving Theory Test app.”

Steve Gooding, director at the RAC Foundation, said: “Support and encouragement from older, more experienced drivers can be a key part of helping young people themselves become safe and confident behind the wheel. For many parents and guardians footing the bill for lessons is one thing, but as this advice makes clear, so too is helping novice drivers build up their driving experience.”

LINKS TO MATERIALS

• Parental Guidance

• Practice to Pass Scorecards

• Parent-Teen Agreement