Thousands of motorists have come out in support of new driving licence rules being introduced later this year that could place fresh restrictions on road users.
Northern Ireland has confirmed that it will become the first country in the United Kingdom to launch Graduated Driving Licences for young motorists.
The scheme will place restrictions on motorists who have recently passed their practical driving test in a nationwide bid to reduce the number of young people killed and seriously injured in road traffic accidents.
Data from the Department for Infrastructure showed that 164 people were killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents in 2024, when a car driver aged between 17 and 23 was responsible.
Despite accounting for just eight per cent of licence holders, the age group is responsible for almost a quarter of fatal or serious collisions, emphasising the need for road safety measures.
The GDL scheme will require a mandatory minimum learning period of six months before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test.
The rules, which will be enforced from October, will also require young motorists to abide by nighttime driving restrictions for the first six months of having their licence.
Similarly, age-related nighttime passenger restrictions will apply for newly qualified drivers, although exemptions will be in place for immediate family members.
Thousands of motorists have come out in support of the new driving licence rules
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PA
New data has revealed that 67 per cent of lorry drivers around the UK support the new Graduated Driving Licence rules, highlighting the road safety benefits they could provide.
Many have also called for further safety rules, with 63 per cent supporting a more frequent renewal of driving licences.
Support for dash cams has risen from 66 per cent in 2024 to 77 per cent in 2025, showing a clear desire from motorists to be covered in the event of an accident.
Florian Doellner, public policy and government relations lead for Europe at Samsara, said: “Northern Ireland’s decision to introduce graduated driving licences is a landmark moment for road safety in the UK.
Young drivers will face a mandatory minimum learning period before they can take their practical test
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PA“Young and newly qualified drivers are disproportionately at risk of serious collisions, and this phased approach recognises that drivers’ experience and confidence are critical to reducing risk on our roads.”
Mr Doellner noted that it was important to see how the rest of the UK would respond to the new safety standards to ensure standards do not slip again.
Referencing the data, he stated that motorists were showing a clear desire for safety standards to improve with robust measures to improve conditions for all road users.
The research also pointed to physical changes to vehicles, including requiring dual-facing cameras to come as standard in all commercial vehicles.
Interest in dash cams has increased dramatically in recent years as drivers look to protect themselves in the event of an accident
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GETTYMore than half of drivers have put their support behind the use of artificial intelligence in telematics systems to penalise drivers with higher costs if they are not being safe on the road.
Mr Doellner added: “To show policymakers are serious about reducing preventable deaths, Northern Ireland’s reforms should be the starting point for a wider rethink of how the UK prepares and supports drivers at every stage of their journey.”
The UK Department for Transport had previously ruled out introducing Graduated Driving Licences, despite widespread support for the measures around the country.
The Scottish Transport Minister called on Labour to give Scotland additional powers to trial GDLs across the nation in a bid to boost road safety.