Youngsters will be able to start formal driving lessons when they are 16.5 years old from November, in a move the government hopes will reduce accidents involving young drivers.

Once they have passed theory and practical tests, 17-year-olds will be allowed on the roads under the supervision of an experienced older driver.
Only once they reach the age of 18, they will be able to drive unsupervised. At the moment, youngsters start learning to drive at the age of 18 and go it alone as soon as they have passed their test.
Transport minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen hopes the extra year of supervised driving will help youngsters to gain more road experience and so cut accidents.