Northern Ireland has officially introduced new driving licence restrictions that restrict young people from carrying passengers and introduce additional requirements before learners can take a test.
New Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) will require learners to spend at least six months taking driving lessons and gaining driving experience before they can take a practical test. Those under the age of 24 will also face restrictions on carrying young passengers at night.
These changes are aimed at reducing fatal road crashes involving young people. Despite young drivers only making up 8% of licence holders in Northern Ireland, official figures show that 17- to 23-year-old drivers were responsible for nearly a quarter of all collisions in Northern Ireland in 2024.
Data also showed that 164 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a young driver in 2024.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) announced the rule changes in January 2026, with drivers who do not follow the restrictions facing three penalty points or a fine of up to £1,000.
Similar measures are being considered for England as part of the Road Safety Strategy.
