Transport minister Camiel Eurlings plans to begin experiments allowing 17-year-olds to drive cars in 2010.

But they will not be allowed to drive unless under the supervision of an experienced older driver or without their parents’ permission, Eurlings said.
Currently, people can drive a car in the Netherlands from the age of 18.
Eurlings said the move would improve road safety because young drivers could build up more experience on the roads. Similar experiments in Germany had cut accidents, he said.