By Ahmed Abdelsalam
New driving licence restrictions have come into force in Northern Ireland, while the UK government considers further measures for younger and older drivers aimed at reducing road casualties.
Northern Ireland Implements Graduated Driver Licensing
Northern Ireland has become the first part of the UK to introduce graduated driver licensing (GDL) for learner and newly qualified drivers, targeting those aged 17 to 23. Learners must now spend at least six months gaining driving experience before taking a practical test, and drivers under 24 face restrictions on carrying young passengers at night. The changes, announced in January 2026, carry penalties of three penalty points or a fine of up to £1,000 for non-compliance. Official figures show that 17- to 23-year-old drivers were responsible for nearly a quarter of all collisions in Northern Ireland in 2024, despite holding only 8 per cent of licences, and were at fault in 65 per cent of cases where people were killed or seriously injured.
Proposals for Drivers Born After 2002
As part of a road safety strategy initially developed under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the government led by Andy Burnham is weighing proposals to impose a minimum learning period for drivers born after 2002. Learners, mostly in their late teens and early 20s, could be required to wait six months between their theory and practical tests. Government data indicates drivers under 25 represent 6 per cent of licence holders but were involved in 24 per cent of fatal and serious crashes in 2024. Ministers estimate minimum learning periods could cut such collisions by up to 32 per cent, based on international evidence.
Proposed Eyesight Tests for Drivers in Their 70s
Rather than requiring a full retest, a proposal first discussed in August 2025 during Starmer's premiership would mandate eyesight checks every three years for drivers in their 70s as a condition of licence renewal. The proposal underwent public consultation between January and May 2026.
Current Rules for Over-70s
Currently, drivers aged 70 and over must renew their licence every three years and self-declare that they meet the required eyesight standards and disclose any listed medical conditions. Under the new proposal, drivers would no longer be able to simply self-certify their eyesight; mandatory eyesight tests would become part of the renewal process.
