On paper, the reform looks like a success. Since January 2024, young French people can take their driving test at the age of 17. A year and a half after its entry into force, the measure is proving popular: more than 300 000-year-olds tried their luck in 17, a third of an age group. The success rate, close to 2024%, far exceeds the national average. The initiative, launched as a surprise by Élisabeth Borne, aimed to promote mobility in underserved areas. The goal was achieved. The success extends well beyond rural areas: the inner suburbs of Paris and overseas territories have also responded. And in terms of road safety figures, no excess accidents have been observed, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
Long delays and understaffed inspectors
But this enthusiasm comes at a price: massive congestion at driving schools. The simultaneous arrival of two age groups on the benches of driving schools has saturated the system. In some departments, waiting times for taking the exam are up to six months, or even longer in the event of failure. Saône-et-Loire is a glaring example of this tension. The number of inspectors there has fallen to six out of ten planned positions. In this context, students have been waiting for their appointments for several months. Failing the exam can turn into a lost year, as feared by a plumber apprentice on a work-study program, dependent on his car to get to his training location 200 km from home. Faced with the emergency, the authorities have promised reinforcements: 83 new inspectors will be deployed at the start of the 2025 school year in the most deprived areas, while the number of exam places is expected to increase starting in July.
Accompanied driving sacrificed on the altar of speed
Another perverse effect: the abandonment of accompanied driving (AAC). Rather than starting at age 15 with progressive support, families now prefer to wait until age 17 to aim directly for the test. As a result, the number of AAC registrations has fallen by 29% among 16-year-olds. Some driving schools report a 75% drop in this training method. For professionals, this change could come at a price later on. Less practice, less preparation, and potentially more risks. If the current success rate for young people is good, it's often because they were already engaged in accompanied training. Ultimately, the effects could be reversed. The government is paying attention. Information campaigns have been launched to promote accompanied driving starting in middle school. But professionals are concerned about a model that values speed at the expense of safety. A popular reform, but a double-edged sword. While obtaining a license at 17 is popular, it upsets the fragile balance of the training system. The engine revs fast, but the gearbox cracks.
