Northern Ireland has become the first part of the UK to introduce new rules for new drivers in a bid to reduce fatal road crashes involving young people.
Graduated driver licensing (GDL), for learner and newly qualified drivers, apply to all new drivers but are particularly aimed at 17 to 23-year-olds.
Among the new rules is that learners must spend at least six months getting driving experience before they can take a practical test.
Newly qualified drivers under 24 will also face restrictions on carrying young passengers at night.
The rule changes were announced in January last year and will see the current speed limit of 45mph for restricted drivers removed.
Drivers who do not follow the restrictions could receive three penalty points or a fine of up to £1,000.
Versions of GDL exist in countries including Australia, the US and Republic of Ireland. Campaigners have called for them to be introduced across the UK.
Police say it will “save lives” but there has been a mixed reaction from young drivers, with some in favour while others, from rural backgrounds, feel frustrated.
However a driving instructor described it as a “terrific” step.
According to official figures, 17 to 23-year-old drivers were responsible for 24% of all collisions, external in Northern Ireland in 2024, despite only accounting for 8% of license holders.
In the same year there were 251 people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a young driver, and in 65% of those, the young driver was deemed to be at fault.
In January, the government announced that learner drivers in England and Wales could face a minimum period of up to six months between sitting their theory and practical tests.
However, it stopped short of introducing GDLs, which motoring organisation the AA described as “a missed opportunity”.