The government of Denmark is proposing a new initiative that would allow 17-year-olds to drive alone as part of its rural development strategy, set to be presented on Thursday. This proposal aims to assist young people in rural areas who face challenges due to a lack of public transportation and long distances to educational institutions.

Currently, it is mandatory for 17-year-olds to have a companion while driving; however, under the new regulations, they will be permitted to drive unaccompanied, albeit with certain restrictions. The young drivers will only be allowed to drive alone between the hours of 05:00 and 20:00 and must adhere to a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol consumption. In contrast, adults are allowed to operate vehicles with a blood alcohol limit of 0.5%.

Jesper Kronborg from the Danish Business Transport (Dansk Erhverv Transport) organization views this measure as a significant improvement in mobility for rural areas, particularly for young people pursuing education.

However, some politicians believe that the proposal does not go far enough. Denmark’s Democrats (Danmarksdemokraterne) argue for lowering the age threshold to 16 years, as many young people begin their education before reaching 17. Susie Jessen from the party emphasizes that mobility issues arise earlier and contends that the age difference between 16 and 17 is minimal in this context.

While the proposal has sparked debate, several voices highlight the importance of complementing it with enhanced public transportation options in rural areas to ensure sufficient mobility for everyone.