Northern Ireland will be the first part of the UK to introduce a graduated driving licence system, a move aimed at reducing fatal road crashes involving young drivers.
The reforms, described as the most significant in 70 years, are modelled on laws already in place in countries such as Australia, the US, and the Republic of Ireland.
The new rules, due to take effect in October, will apply to all new drivers, particularly those aged 17 to 23. They include a mandatory six-month waiting period before learners can take their practical driving test and impose restrictions on night-time driving and the number of young passengers allowed in a car.
Learner drivers will also be permitted to drive on motorways under the supervision of an approved instructor, and new drivers will be allowed to follow posted speed limits, with the previous 45mph restriction for beginners removed.
Drivers who breach the rules could face three penalty points or fines of up to £1,000.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the reforms target young drivers, who are most likely to be killed or seriously injured on the roads. In 2024, drivers aged 17 to 23 accounted for 24% of fatal or serious collisions in Northern Ireland, despite holding just 8% of licences.
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Senior Police Service of Northern Ireland officer Ch Supt Sam Donaldson welcomed the scheme, highlighting that it will give new drivers a slower, safer introduction to driving, similar to approaches in Scandinavia, where road safety is significantly higher.
Some young people expressed mixed reactions to the changes, with one saying they were “not looking forward to the changes.” Pat Delaney of the Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland said the new measures will apply to anyone receiving a provisional licence from 1 October, with the overall aim of improving road safety.
The Department for Infrastructure said it will soon launch a public information campaign and work closely with instructors, the PSNI, and other stakeholders ahead of the reforms.
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