The work between policy and practice
Road safety progress depends on more than commitments. It requires sustained action, strong partnerships, and accountability to ensure that policies…
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Northern Ireland introduces Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) from 1 October 2026 and brings changes to how people learn, prepare for their test and drive after passing.
It is the biggest reform to driver licensing and testing in almost 70 years, with a new system designed to help learners build experience and provide greater protection during their first months of independent driving.
The scheme aims to reduce the disproportionate involvement of new drivers, particularly young drivers, in fatal and serious collisions. In Northern Ireland in 2024, 164 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions where a car driver aged 17–23 was responsible. Drivers in this age group accounted for 24% of fatal or serious collisions, despite holding just 8% of licences.
The new framework includes:
A minimum learning period: car learners must normally wait at least six months from the start of their provisional entitlement before taking their practical test. Limited exemptions apply.
Structured learning: learners must complete a programme of training and record it in a compulsory logbook.
A longer post-test period: new drivers must display new-style R plates for two years, rather than one.
Night-time passenger restrictions: for the first six months after passing, new car drivers under 24 may carry no more than one passenger aged 14–20 between 11pm and 6am. Exemptions apply, including for immediate family members and journeys with a qualifying accompanying driver.
