Graduate driving licences and sorting the pothole crisis once and for all: AA reveals its latest motoring manifesto

The pothole problem must be sorted and smart motorways abolished, the AA says in its latest motoring manifesto which saw nearly 12,000 of its members respond.

It has launched its motoring manifesto today to reveal what drivers see as problems that need to be solved most urgently.  

To create ‘confidence for for drivers,’ the motoring organisation believes a ‘graduated licence’ system needs to be implemented, along with far improved road maintenance, smart motorways being axed and better EV infrastructure.

Ahead of upcoming local and mayoral elections, and a pending general election, five critical areas of action to address motorists’ concerns were highlighted – supporting drivers, sustainable future, smoother journeys, safer roads, and strengthening the industry.

Potholes are causing a real issue to roads across the country, and councils are constantly under pressure to allocate more funds to improving road surface quality 

Road maintenance – pothole crisis

Road maintenance was the most critical area as far as the survey drivers were concerned, with 96 per cent of AA members saying road management is the top transport issue.

The national pothole crisis was estimated to cost drivers almost half a billion pounds last year, with the AA called out to more than 600,000 pothole-related incidents in 2023.

The AA wants the Government to ring-fence funding of local road maintenance with funds from the £8.3billion HS2 allocation brought forward, increasing and accelerating spending in England in the first three years.

Local authorities are being urged to limit the practice of temporary pothole repairs or patches and, where possible, every pothole or patch to be repaired permanently.

Road safety – abolish Smart Motorways

Four in five 81 motorists want ‘smart’ motorways scrapped, the manifesto says.

In 2023, Rishi Sunak cancelled all future smart motorway projects due to financial pressures and a lack of public confidence in this ‘smart’ roads. 

The AA is calling on the Government to reinstate the hard shoulder on existing smart motorway schemes using dynamic hard shoulder technology.

The RAC also separately urged the Government to bring back hard shoulders at the start if this month. 

Currently, congestion benefits of smart motorways are lost as more than one third of drivers don’t use the inside lane due to fear of broken-down vehicles ahead and any incident leads to severe congestion and delays for emergency services getting to the scene of crashes.

A ‘graduate driving licence’ would see newly qualified drivers unable to drive peer passengers for six months after passing their practical test

New drivers – introduce graduate licences

Nearly three quarters of drivers think a graduate licence limiting passengers is a good idea.

A graduate driving licence (GDL) would limit newly qualified drivers in some areas including having no peer passengers for six months – a policy supported by the AA Driving School and AA Trust.

Saving motorists money

Around seven in 10 respondents to the survey think motoring taxes will increase, and in July 2022 the AA found nearly two-thirds of motorists either drove less or cut back their spending due to record petrol prices.

With young people and families feeling the greatest impact, the AA wants to retain the current freeze on fuel duty, and improve fuel price transparency.

The new ‘Pumpwatch’ scheme where fuel stations will be legally required to share live information on their pump prices within 30 minutes of any change is backed by the AA.

With 87 per cent opposed to increased taxes on petrol and diesel cars, the AA wants Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for electric vehicles to remain lower than fuel cars to incentivize take-up.

It’s also calling for a 25 per cent reduction in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) overall and a 50 per cent reduction for new drivers to help those hit by disproportionate high premiums and face being priced out of the market.

Expanding and improving EV charging was very important to those surveyed, with 65 per cent wanting better EV infrastructure

Switch to EVs – improve infrastructure and information

A large part of the AA’s manifesto is dedicated to EVs and the transitions to all-electric driving.

The AA found charging was top of drivers’ minds with 65 per cent wanting better EV infrastructure.

Ways to achieve this include reducing VAT for on-street charging from 20 per cent to 5 per cent to match home charging.

The Government was widely criticised by its refusal to listen to the ‘fair tax for a fair transition’ industry-wide campaign and reduce taxes on EVs, particularly VAT, in its spring Budget.

The AA wants to see increased focus on EV infrastructure from increased use of public premises for overnight charging and speeding up planning and grid connection, to supporting charge post operators (CPOs) by bringing charging under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).

The RTFO is a government body that supports decarbonisation of transport and the move to renewable fuels.

And better communication about the switch to electric is very important: 81 per cent of AA members want the organisation to actively challenge misinformation on EVs, with 75 per cent wanting the AA to provide do this by providing accurate information instead.

In response, the AA wants the Government to consider reinstating the Go Ultra Low joint industry and government information and publicity campaign.

Edmund King, AA president, added: ‘The AA’s manifesto is backed by polling of our members. 

‘We know that permanently fixing potholes is the number one issue, but we also know that drivers want action on scrapping “smart” motorways, improving the safety of new drivers and being given more incentives and reassurance before switching to zero emission vehicles. 

‘Our message to all parties is “motoring matters”. 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk