New drivers in Northern Ireland will face tough new licence restrictions from October under the biggest overhaul of driving laws in almost 70 years.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has approved new regulations that will introduce a Graduated Driver Licensing scheme from October 1.
The changes are aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries among young and inexperienced motorists, who are involved in a disproportionately high number of crashes.
Under the new rules, drivers under 24 who pass their test will be restricted from carrying passengers aged between 14 and 20 between 11pm and 6am during their first six months on the road.
Learner drivers will also have to complete at least six months of supervised driving before they can take their practical test.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins welcomed the move after MLAs voted to approve the legislation.
She said: “I welcome the approval of these Regulations, which will now allow me to put in place the subordinate legislation required to facilitate the introduction of GDL.”
The new scheme will apply to anyone whose provisional licence for a car or motorcycle starts on or after October 1.
Northern Ireland will roll out new driving licence restrictions following increased casualties on the roads | X/DVLA/PA
Officials explained the changes are needed because young drivers are heavily overrepresented in serious crashes.
People aged between 17 and 23 hold just eight per cent of driving licences in Northern Ireland but account for almost a quarter of all fatal or serious road collisions.
Last year alone, 164 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes where a driver aged 17 to 23 was responsible.
The problem was particularly severe on rural roads, where 71 per cent of those killed or seriously injured in crashes involving young drivers lost their lives or suffered serious injuries.
Minister Liz Kimmins has praised the new licencing rules
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DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTUREData from the Transport Research Laboratory suggested new licence restrictions can reduce collisions involving young drivers by between five and 40 per cent.
Before being allowed to sit a practical test, learner drivers will have to complete a structured Programme of Training and keep a record of their progress in a mandatory logbook.
The Department for Infrastructure has created a mobile app to manage the process, with a web-based version also available.
Learners will only be able to book a practical test once they have passed their theory test, completed the six-month learning period and finished the required training programme.
The new driving licence scheme will be introduced to improve road safety
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GETTYAnyone who builds up six penalty points during the two-year probationary period will automatically lose their licence.
Ms Kimmins said: “Too many lives are lost, and too many are shattered by the consequences of road deaths and serious injuries here.“
“Road safety is a priority for me, and GDL will be a valuable lifesaving tool to help me strive to ensure everyone who uses our roads does so safely.”
A public information campaign will be launched ahead of the changes coming into force.
Existing learner drivers who obtained their provisional licence before October 1 will continue under the current rules until March 31, 2027. After that date, they will also have to meet the new GDL requirements if they have not yet passed their test.