Experts have praised new driving licence rules that will see young motorists face additional restrictions in a bid to boost road safety for all drivers.
The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland confirmed that it would be introducing Graduated Driving Licences after a concerted campaigning effort from experts.
The GDL scheme is designed to introduce measures for young people to follow once they first get their licence to minimise their risk behind the wheel.
Graduated Driving Licences have already been used in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, with clear evidence that road safety has improved among young people.
Once the new rules are introduced in Northern Ireland, from October 1, 2026, young people will face new restrictions behind the wheel as the government looks to reduce risks on the road.
It will include a minimum learning period of six months before a learner driver can take their practical test, as well as six months of nighttime driving restrictions for new drivers under 24.
Further measures include age-related nighttime passenger restrictions for newly qualified drivers, although immediate family members will be exempt.
Drivers in Northern Ireland will see further details about the Graduated Driving Licence scheme in the coming months through a public information campaign.
Drivers will see the new driving licence rules introduced before the end of the year
|PA
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said this was "the most significant reform to driver licensing and testing in almost 70 years".
She highlighted data which showed that 164 people were killed or seriously injured in 2024 in incidents where a car driver aged between 17 and 23 was responsible.
The DfI research also found that the 17-23 age bracket accounts for a staggering 24 per cent of fatal or serious collisions despite holding just eight per cent of licences.
Fraser Lyall, General Insurance Policy Adviser at the Association of British Insurers, said the announcement in Northern Ireland represented "significant progress".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
He highlighted that it would result in a major boost for road safety by cutting down on potential measures that could endanger young motorists.
The expert added: "Many of the measures outlined, including a minimum learning period and targeted passenger restrictions, are consistent with the evidence we, and others, have presented to help improve safety for more inexperienced motorists.
"We look forward to engaging with the Department for Infrastructure as the detail is finalised, and to continuing our work with policymakers across the UK to support practical measures that make roads safer for everyone."
Road safety campaigners have called for these rules to be introduced for many years, given the increasing rate of young people being killed or seriously injured in road accidents.
Young people in Northern Ireland will see new driving licence restrictions imposed later this year | PAMost recently, Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop called for the national UK Government to devolve powers to Scotland, allowing them to trial GDLs.
Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, highlighted the benefits that could be seen from the new driving licence scheme, including cheaper insurance premiums.
He added: "Evidence from countries with similar schemes shows that graduated licensing can significantly reduce crash rates by easing new drivers into higher-risk situations more gradually.
"It may also contribute to lowering insurance costs. Our research shows 17-year-olds currently pay £1,932 on average for their car insurance."