Impatient young people, more reserved adults… the passage of the driving license at 17 is debated in the region

The license at 17, a reform which is debated. MAXPPP – Jean-Marc Lallemand

It's official since the publication of the decree on December 20, the age for obtaining a driving license is lowered to 17 years from January 1, 2024. A boon for these young people or real danger ? Driving school instructors and parents speak out. 

This is a major change in the history of driving in France. Fixed at 18 years since 1922, the legal age for obtaining the B license has increased to 17 years since January 1. If this reform is eagerly awaited by the young people, it causes debate among driving school instructors and also arouses concern among parents.

Even longer delays ?

First, it raises fears of an explosion in waiting times, already very long, for taking the exam. ;In question, the strong demand from the 17-18 age group. "For a certain time this will precipitate permit applications", judge Fabrice Ballesta, of the ;#39;learning motion driving school in Montpellier, but the latter wants to be optimistic. "Over time, this will level out because those who have their license at 17 will not have to take it at 18."

What about insurance ?

The other big question concerns car insurance. While young people on probationary licenses already have to pay a larger sum than other motorists, will the price be even higher for 17-year-old new drivers ?

"For the moment, we don't really know, recognizes Pierre-Louis Bost, an insurance broker based in Béziers and Limoges. The decree appeared very recently. As a young person, it was already very difficult to obtain car insurance at 18 years old. And then, there is legal uncertainty because you cannot buy a car or obtain a registration document if you are a minor. If a minor is drunk and kills someone while driving, it becomes a criminal offense and that's how it will happen ?"

"No awareness of danger"

But the main debate sparked by the license at 17 years old questions the ability of adolescents to drive alone. "This change is difficult to accept because when you want to train well it takes time, believes Joël Fossemale, director of the CRE driving school in Millau. Young people will see things positively, and that is understandable, but we must protect them."

Same observation for Reda, from the Vila driving school in Alès: “At this age, we do not have the maturity to approach the notions of danger. It is a measure taken out of a societal and economic need, rather than with the aim of freeing a learner very early for their professional life. Already at 18, it's very risky, but if we release them into the wild at 17, they will have no awareness of the danger. We will meet the needs of our customers but still encourage them to follow long training where they will have the support of an adult."

The Cévennes monitor also points out the inconsistency with climate issues: "This change will put many more cars on the road", underlines he. 

"I will live again"

While some parents are worried, others welcome the news with relief. "We won't have to take them everywhere, so it will be more practical, it will give them wings. My daughter will take my car when she comes home at the weekend, if she wants to see her friends, says Brigitte, a mother from Béziers. I think that' ;from the moment they pass their license, they know how to drive at least." 

Enthusiasm is also evident among adolescents, who are the first to obtain a license at 17 years old. Particularly in rural areas where the measure should facilitate the travel of young people to their places of work or training.

 "I've been waiting for this for a long time, appreciate it, Enzo, 17 years old and tiler in Lignan-sur-Orb. It's good news for my work: it allows me to become team leader. My parents are worried because it's the beginning but also happy because I can go to work alone now. I also have a little sister who needs to take to school, you always had to manage, now I'm going to live again." 

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