A new Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) is set to come into force on October 1, 2026, but it only applies to motorists in Northern Ireland. The Department for Infrastructure describes it as the biggest change to driving rules in Northern Ireland in over 70 years, aimed at improving road safety by cutting the number of serious crashes involving young and newly qualified drivers.
Drivers in Northern Ireland will have to complete a training programme and record their progress in a logbook before taking their practical test. Under the new system, the restriction period will be extended from 12 months to two years, meaning newly qualified drivers must display an 'R' plate-style marker on their vehicle after passing their test.
The changes also include a mandatory minimum six-month learning period before a learner can take their practical driving test. New drivers under 24 will face driving restrictions at night for six months, while newly qualified motorists will be subject to age-related restrictions on carrying passengers at night, with exemptions for some family members.
No Plans for England, Scotland and Wales
Scotland, England and Wales have no plan to introduce the GDL. These rules mean that Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to introduce these standards for new drivers. Drivers in Scotland, England and Wales are curious if these restrictions may be introduced in the rest of the UK.
Reach contacted the DVSA for comment. In response, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: "We want to keep young people safe while supporting their access to work, education and social opportunities.
"That’s why we’re not introducing blanket restrictions on new drivers, such as limits on passengers or night‑time driving. Instead, we’re focusing on better preparation before the test and have recently consulted on a minimum learning period."
Minimum Learning Period Consultation
While a GDL is not being introduced for the rest of the UK, a consultation period for introducing a minimum learning period (MLP) for learner drivers began on January 7, 2026 and ran until May 11.
The consultation states that the DfT was seeking views on introducing a minimum time period between passing a theory test and taking a practical driving test. Its consultation covered driving tests taken for a category B licence, the standard licence used to operate a car.
It explained: "Currently, a learner driver may apply for a practical driving test as soon as they get a provisional licence and pass the theory test. Without enough time spent driving, many learners face situations and conditions on the road that they have no experience with, due to a lack of practice.
"The aim is to introduce a structured approach that gives learners more time to increase their competence and experience before taking a test."
Explaining a potential MLP, the DfT notes that this: "Is an approach adopted in a number of jurisdictions and countries and can vary from country to country and state to state.
"In MLPs, learners are required to undergo a minimum time period before taking a practical car driving test or obtaining a full licence. MLPs provide learners more time to develop their skills and the opportunity to gain experience in varied conditions, such as driving at night, in adverse weather, and in heavy traffic. Some MLPs are used in combination with a minimum number of learning hours and a learning syllabus."
Gov.uk will publish a summary of responses and the government response in due course.
