Driving license: from January 1, 2024, young people aged 17 and over will be able to get behind the wheel

It’s official! From January 1, 2024, it will be possible to obtain a B permit, but above all to drive a car from the age of 17. The decree that implements this measure was published in the Official Gazette on December 20.

This measure announced in June by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne aims to allow young people living in regions poorly served by public transport to travel easily, but above all to facilitate their entry into working life.

No tidal waves

Thus, as of January 1, the first young people aged 17 or over who will be able to get behind the wheel will be those who have opted for accompanied driving and have passed their test.

“From January 1, they will be able to apply for the issuance of their license and will now be able, with their driving license examination certificate, to get behind the wheel completely independently,” announces Patrick Mirouse, president of ECF.

In June, after the announcement of this project, driving schools feared being attacked by young people who wanted to take advantage of this new provision as soon as possible. For Patrick Mirouse, this was not the case in the agencies leading his network.

“At the end of the year, we began to receive demand, but there is still no tidal wave. Will we take stock in the first half of 2024?” he declared in a statement.

Always very long delays

Meanwhile, ECF is particularly concerned about delays in obtaining a driving licence. According to Patrick Mirouse, France is divided into three zones. In a third of the country the crossing times are correct. In another third they are “pretty average” and in the last third they are extremely long.”

“This situation cannot continue because it severely penalizes students and has a strong impact on the final cost of the permit.”

Another concern of this professional is the risk of increasing traffic accidents.

“We had asked that post-graduate training, which until then was optional, be made mandatory. This would have made it possible to raise awareness and alert young people about risky behavior and the dangers of the road. Unfortunately, we were not listened to on this point.” , laments Patrick Mirouse.