For many young South Africans, obtaining a driver's licence marks a significant milestone. Yet research suggests the gap between passing the test and being genuinely prepared for the country's roads may be wider than many realise.
Globally, road crashes remain the leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. In South Africa, the Road Accident Fund attributes 40% of road fatalities to young people, according to recent data.
The latest statistics from the Road Traffic Management Corporation show that in the 2024/25 festive season alone, 1 502 people died on the country's roads. While comprehensive age-disaggregated data for the full year is still being finalised, historical trends indicate that young people under 25 continue to be overrepresented in fatal crashes.
In 2023, the National Department of Transport reported that drivers aged between 20 and 29 accounted for approximately 27% of all fatal crashes where driver age was recorded. Pedestrians in the same age bracket also feature prominently in collision statistics.
Looking for a safe car for a student then click here
Eugene Herbert, CEO of driver training organisation MasterDrive, says the current licensing system may not adequately prepare new drivers for real-world conditions.
"Passing a K53 test is not the same as being equipped to drive on South African roads," Herbert says. "The test measures procedural compliance, and seldom one's competence and experience under real-world conditions."
The concern is that young drivers can pass their test after practising on quiet roads in ideal conditions, only to find themselves navigating highway traffic, aggressive drivers, and poor road surfaces within weeks.
"A young person can pass their test after practising on quiet roads in ideal conditions and within weeks be navigating highway traffic, aggressive drivers, and poor road conditions with no additional preparation," he adds. "This produces licensed drivers, not experienced ones."
International approaches to driver training vary significantly from South Africa's model. France requires learner drivers to complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional instruction before taking the test. Finland and Norway mandate dedicated courses on skidpan control and night driving.
Australia has a graduated licensing system requiring up to 120 hours of supervised driving. Germany's curriculum includes 12 mandatory hours divided into specific scenarios, including rural roads, autobahn driving, and night driving.
Bumper bashings or break-ins – for the best insurance deal click here
In the United Arab Emirates, new drivers without an existing licence must register with an official driving school and complete up to 20 hours of practical training.
Young drivers are most vulnerable to crashes within the first month of obtaining their licence, according to research cited by MasterDrive.
"When supervised experience is not built into obtaining a licence, new drivers are exposed to unnecessary risk," Herbert says. "Inexperience compounds quickly. Misjudgements and an inability to identify hazards are less often because of bad driving but rather a lack of experience."
Herbert suggests that characterising youth as reckless places the burden entirely on individual behaviour, while overlooking systemic factors.
"Yet, young drivers begin in complex, often dangerous environments with minimal experience. Changing the tragedy that the youth often face on the roads requires that we change what we consider sufficient development of experience."
You are just one click away from finding the very best finance deal for your new car
With Youth Month being observed, Herbert encouraged parents, employers, and institutions to invest in driver training that goes beyond legal requirements.
"This Youth Month celebrate young drivers by investing in their futures. One of the most meaningful investments any parent, employer, or institution can make is ensuring young drivers receive training and experience development that goes beyond legal requirements. It is much more effective than just teaching young drivers what to do, but why."
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
