Infrastructure Minister Has Announced Plans to
Introduce Graduated Driver Licensing Gdl) on 1 October 2026.
Gdl is a Road Safety Scheme Designed to Reduce the
Disproportionate Involvement of New – Primarily Young – Drivers
in Fatal and Serious Road Traffic Collisions.
It Will Introduce a Revised Training, Testing and Post-test
Framework for New Drivers and Motorcyclists.
Gdl Has Been Launched As Part of a New Road Safety Strategy
Action Plan, Which Has Been Developed in Partnership with the
Emergency Services, Other Departments and Agencies, and Focuses
on the Latest Road Safety Interventions.
In 2025, 56 People Were Killed in Road Traffic Collisions, Which
Is a Reduction of 13 (19%) on the 2024 Figure of 69.*
Minister Kimmins Said: Today I Am Announcing the Most
Significant Reform to Driver Licensing and Testing in Almost 70
Years. These Changes Are Aimed at Young Drivers Who Are Sadly
Most Likely to Be Killed or Seriously Injured on Our
Roads.
In 2024, There Were 164 Casualties Killed or Seriously
Injured) from Collisions Where a Car Driver Aged 17-23 Was
Responsible. This Age Group of Drivers Account for 24% of Fatal
or Serious Collisions Despite Holding Just 8% of
Licences.
Behind These Figures Are Too Many Shattered Lives As
Loved Ones Who Set off on an Everyday Journey Suffer Life
Changing Injuries or Are Never Coming Home to Their Family and
Friends.
The Fundamental Goal of Learning to Drive and the
Licensing Process Should Be to Create Drivers and Motorcyclists
Who Are Safe, and Not Just Technically Competent, by the Time
They Are Permitted to Drive or Ride Unsupervised. The
Introduction of Gdl Plans to Achieve This Through a Structured
Approach to Learning to Drive, Including the Completion of a
Programme of Training and Logbook.This Will Better Prepare
Drivers for Both the Driving Test and Initial Post-test Driving
Period by Helping Learners Understand How Human Factors Such As
Their Attitude, Personality, Behaviour and Feelings Affect Their
Driving Style.
Road Safety Is a Priority, and Gdl Will Be a Valuable
Tool to Help Me Ensure Everyone Who Uses Our Roads, Does so
Safely.”
Gdl Will Include:
- A Mandatory Minimum Learning Period of Six Months Before a
Learner Driver Can Undertake Their Practical Driving Test
- A Programme of Training That Details the Learning Required to
Become a Safe Driver, and Which Must Be Completed and Recorded in
a Logbook Before a Learner Driver Can Undertake Their Practical
Driving Test
- An Increase in the Restriction Period from the Current 12
Months to 24 Months Requiring New Drivers to Display a
Distinguishing Mark Plate) on the Vehicle for Two Years After
Receiving a Full Licence
- A Period of Six Months with Nighttime Driving Restrictions
for New Drivers Under 24
- Age Related Nighttime Passenger Restrictions for Newly
Qualified Drivers, with Exemption for Immediate Family Members.
- Gdl Permits L' Drivers to Drive on a Motorway As Long As They
Are Accompanied by an Approved Driving Instructor. Once the
Learner Passes Their Test, They Will Be Issued with the New R'
Plate Which Also Allows Them to Drive on a Motorway, Where They
Can Drive up to the Posted Speed Limit.
The Department Will Shortly Launch a Public Information Campaign
About Gdl, and Officials Will Liaise with Approved Instructors,
The psni and a Range of Other Stakeholders in Advance of Its
Introduction.
Notes to Editors:
- Caption: Students at Erne Integrated College in Enniskillen
Who Will Among Those Learning About Graduated Drivers Licensing
Today.
- The Gdl Monitoring Report Is Available Here: Www.Infrastructure-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/graduated-driver-licensing-gdl-monitoring-report-2023
- The Road Safety Action Plan Will Be Available Here on 27
January 2026: Www.Infrastructure-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/road-safety-strategy-northern-ireland-2030
- * Please Note That 2025 Figures Are Still Provisional and
Subject to Change.
- The Road Traffic Amendment) Act Ni) 2016 Includes the
Provisions for Gdl Which, Once Commenced, Will Put in Place the
Framework for Gdl. Subordinate Legislation Is Also Required to
Facilitate Its Introduction.
