Motorists to see new driving laws come in January impacting Vauxhall, Jaguar Land Rover and more car brands

Under the new regulations, many cars currently sold across England, Scotland and Wales will no longer be available as new vehicles in Northern Ireland.

Industry figures warned that the changes pose a serious threat to the province's motor trade and will leave buyers with fewer choices and higher prices.

The Motability Scheme confirmed this week that some vehicles currently listed on its website may not be available to customers in Northern Ireland from the start of next year. However, it said it would still offer a wide range of alternative vehicles.

Importantly, anyone who has already placed an order or submitted an application will not be affected by the changes.

The problem arose from Northern Ireland's unique status under the Windsor Framework, which keeps the region aligned with European Union rules for goods.

While Great Britain now operates its own vehicle approval system, Northern Ireland continues to follow EU single market regulations.

This means that from January, any new car sold in Northern Ireland must have EU type approval. Cars that only have GB approval will not be allowed to be sold or registered as new vehicles in the region. The rule does not apply to used cars.

Car manufacturers can choose to apply for both EU and GB approval, allowing them to sell the same vehicles across the entire UK. However, many companies have decided not to do this, instead focusing on the much larger Great Britain market.

As a result, Northern Ireland buyers will be shut out of many new models. The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has described the situation as a "generational challenge" for the local motor industry.

Speaking to the Stormont economy committee in November, the NFDA's Northern Ireland spokesman Alastair Peoples warned that the rules would severely limit consumer choice and drive up prices.

He said: "This is nothing short of a generational challenge for our local industry. People in Northern Ireland will not have access to the same range of vehicles as the rest of the UK. The cars that do make it through will cost more."

The NFDA has warned that major manufacturers, including Vauxhall, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot and Jaguar Land Rover, are already producing vehicles with GB-only approval. That means many of their new models will disappear from Northern Ireland showrooms next year.

The motor trade is a significant employer in Northern Ireland, supporting around 17,500 jobs and contributing more than £3billion a year to the economy.

However, new car sales in the region are already lagging behind Great Britain, and dealers warned that the incoming rules are making matters worse. Large dealer groups, including Charles Hurst, Donnelly and Agne,w have told MLAs that prices and taxes are already rising ahead of the deadline.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have been urging the UK Government to step in. MPs want GB vehicle approvals to be recognised in Northern Ireland to avoid splitting the UK car market.

Stormont's Economy Committee has called on Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn to act urgently. Mr Benn has said he will provide an update once the Department for Transport issues new guidance.

The Motability Scheme, which allows disabled people to lease vehicles using their mobility allowance, confirmed that some models will no longer be available in Northern Ireland from the new year.

Customers planning to renew or apply for a vehicle have been advised to speak to dealers about what stock is available.