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.<\/p>\n
Graduated driver licensing (GDL)<\/a>, for learner and newly qualified drivers, apply to all new drivers but are particularly aimed at 17 to 23-year-olds.<\/p>\n Among the new rules is that learners must spend at least six months getting driving experience before they can take a practical test. <\/p>\n Newly qualified drivers under 24 will also face restrictions on carrying young passengers at night. <\/p>\n The rule changes were announced in January last year<\/a> and will see the current speed limit of 45mph for restricted drivers removed.<\/p>\n Drivers who do not follow the restrictions could receive three penalty points or a fine of up to \u00a31,000.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n However a driving instructor described it as a “terrific” step. <\/p>\n According to official figures, 17 to 23-year-old drivers were responsible for 24% of all collisions, external<\/a> in Northern Ireland in 2024, despite only accounting for 8% of license holders. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n