A north road safety campaigner has been told there are no plans to bring forward restricted driving licences for young motorists in the immediate future.
Highlands MSP David Stewart has received a letter from the UK Government, saying the move will only be considered when the right balance can be struck between safety and personal freedom.
Mr Stewart has spent several years pressing for the introduction of graduated driving licences (GDL) designed to let young drivers build up experience while restricting certain practices such as night-time driving, the use of motorways and carrying passengers.
The Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands has the backing of the Scottish Government and Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown, but ultimate responsibility rests with Whitehall.
UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill told him the Department of Transport was in the process of undertaking focus groups among employers and parents to help understand the issues from different perspectives.
“Once we are confident we have struck the right balance between driving safety and restricting the freedom of young people we will come forward with our proposals,” he said.
Mr Stewart said research showed GDLs could prevent 22 deaths a year in Scotland and save the economy £80million.
“I will continue to work with the UK Government to get this scheme in,” he said.