The factors that lead to young drivers having accidents have been the subject of much research. In this article, we review the current literature concerning the links between the complexity of the driving environment, driving experience, workload, anxiety, vigilance, and driving performance. First, we outline the features that characterize the environment complexity and the drivers’ experience. Automatic and controlled processing is typically found in simple and complex environments, respectively. It varies as a function of driving experience automation that increases with experience. The lowest levels of cognitive load and best performance are found among more experienced drivers compared to novices. Secondly, overload can be explained as a function of the environment complexity and driving experience. Several studies confirm theories stating that simple and very complex environments are particularly prone to overload; at the same time, workload is lower, and performance is better for experienced drivers compared to novices. Finally, we examine the literature in order to understand how levels of anxiety and vigilance modulate the effects of environmental complexity and a driver’s experience on overload. According to the literature, costly environments (i.e. simple and very complex), combined with a lack of experience can result in high energy expenditure. A high level of anxiety and a lack of vigilance can thus impair performance through an increase in workload. Moreover, the increased workload may be directly due to the costly environment and lack of experience, which can increase energy expenditure, raise anxiety, and lower vigilance. Drawing up on various theories and empirical studies that find a link between these factors, the aim is to establish a model of the links between the characteristics of the driving environment and the individual characteristics that lead to road accidents. That will make it possible to develop specific ways to raise awareness, and new driving training modules.