Driving licence changes prompt calls for more restrictions as new rules launch within months

Felix Reeves
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:39:37 +0000

A group of bereaved mothers have called for stronger driving licence restrictions to be introduced for motorists in a bid to boost safety for all road users.

Campaigners have consistently called on the Government to introduce Graduated Driving Licences (GDL) to place an emphasis on road safety, especially among young motorists.

This would see new licensing rules introduced for motorists who have recently passed their practical, and has already been given the green light in Northern Ireland.

Potential restrictions include a ban on carrying same-age passengers for a certain amount of time after passing their test, which can apply to those aged between 17 and 23.

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Other rules include a nighttime curfew between 11pm and 6am, a minimum learning period of six months and even the requirement to complete a logbook before their test.

The Government has ruled out introducing GDLs, although the rules will be enforced in Northern Ireland from October 1 later this year.

Three mothers, Leanne Vaughan, Crystal Owen and Sue Evans, have called on the Government to reconsider the decision not to launch GDLs and the road safety impact this could have.

Leanne Vaughan told the BBC that the bereaved mothers were fighting a "forgotten epidemic" in trying to get new road safety rules introduced.

Ms Vaughan, whose 17-year-old daughter Lily-May was killed in a car accident, questioned why the UK Government didn't want to make changes when Northern Ireland had.

This was echoed by Crystal Owen, who has been one of the most vocal supporters of Graduated Driving Licences following the death of her son Harvey in 2023.

She said: "Some of the arguments are the UK can't compare their roads to places like America.

"However, you can look at the overall picture worldwide that car crashes in young people are the biggest killer. And next to suicide in the UK, it is the biggest killer."

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Data from the Department for Transport shows that drivers between 17 and 24 make up almost a quarter of drivers killed or seriously injured on UK roads.

Despite the high number of fatalities and injuries, this age group makes up just seven per cent of licence holders, highlighting the disparity in accidents.

There had been calls for the UK Government to include licence restrictions in the recent Road Safety Strategy, which resulted in a number of consultations being launched to look at mandatory eye tests for elderly drivers and lower drink-drive limits.

The Department for Transport said it would not introduce "blanket restrictions" on new drivers, and would instead focus on ensuring motorists are fully prepared for their tests.

Northern Ireland's Road Safety Strategy Action Plan includes plans for Graduated Driving Licences to be rolled out to "reduce the disproportionate involvement of new drivers in fatal and serious road traffic collisions".

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the changes, which will launch on October 1, are the "most significant reform to driver licensing and testing in almost 70 years".

She added: "The fundamental goal of learning to drive and the licensing process should be to create drivers and motorcyclists who are safe, and not just technically competent, by the time they are permitted to drive or ride unsupervised.

"Road safety is a priority, and GDL will be a valuable tool to help me ensure everyone who uses our roads, does so safely."