Unlicensed driving: a scoping study to identify potential areas for further research

David Silcock, Anna Sunter and Chris van LottumRoss Silcock Limited

Kris BeuretSocial Research Associates

Cost: 15,500, partly funded by the Association of British Insurers
Published: November 1999

Download the full Report (PDF 1044K).

The research was commissioned by the AA Foundation after findings from the interview stage of the What limits speed? study showed that a significant number of interviewees admitted to driving while unlicensed. Agreement was reached between the Foundation, Ross Silcock Limited and the Association of British Insurers that the issue should be investigated, but it is emphasised that this report identified issues that merited further research. While indicative of the scale of the problem, the report does not provide firm conclusions on the subject.

The report found that:

• unlicensed driving is widespread. There were almost 380,000 proceedings in 1996 and estimates from a variety of sources suggest that perhaps only 1 in 6 unlicensed drivers are prosecuted each year;
• with skilled interviewers it is relatively easy to find and talk to people who are driving unlicensed or have done so in the past. There appears little social stigma from this offence;
• of unlicensed drivers brought to court, around 13 per cent have been disqualified. The great majority are provisional licence holders driving without a full licence, not displaying L plates nor being accompanied by a qualified person;
• unlicensed driving is closely linked to uninsured driving. There were more than 500,000 proceedings for uninsured driving in 1996;
• from an analysis of a sample of Northumbria Police data, around 90 per cent of unlicensed drivers were also uninsured;
• unlicensed drivers who are prosecuted are predominantly male and young. Northumbria Police data show 90 per cent of prosecutions are against males, of whom approximately three quarters are aged 30 or under and one third are under 21. However, interviews suggest that the problem may be more widespread;
• unlicensed drivers appear to come from all social groups;
• access to a parent's car seems to be a facilitating factor;
• interviews with 50 unlicensed drivers and 20 Approved Driving Instructors revealed some interesting pointers as to motives, but due to the small sample these features are only indicative:
  • unlicensed drivers appear to have a high opinion of their driving skills;
  • unlicensed drivers are more likely to agree with statements supporting aggressive driving styles;
  • some take the theory test early and have an unrealistic assessment of their ability to pass the practical test within the time available;
  • difficulties some have with the theory test (perhaps linked to literacy) also appear to lead to unlicensed driving;
  • the cost of tests and lessons deters some and leads to unlicensed driving;
  • the risk of being caught and the perceived low penalties are poor deterrents;
• there is no evidence available to link unlicensed driving with disproportionate accident risk. It is unknown whether unlicensed driving leads to more road accidents than a similar amount and mix of driving by licensed but otherwise similar drivers.

Following publication of the report in November 1999, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions commissioned Ross Silcock Limited to undertake in-depth research which is ongoing. For further information contact Ross Silcock Limited - telephone: 020 7928 9002, fax: 020 7633 9529.

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