Graduated Driver Licensing is coming to Northern Ireland | GDL

Graduated Driver Licensing in Northern Ireland | Joe's Driver Training Ballymena

Northern Ireland is set to be first in the UK to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL).

Department for Infastructure Minister Liz Zimmins made the announcement at the end of January. The changes are to come into effect from 1st October 2026 and are said to be the most significant changes in 70 years.

The changes will only apply to provisional licence holders who have their licence issued on or after 01/10/2026 and will significantly change how new drivers are trained and tested in Northern Ireland.

There are more details to come and many things yet to be clarified. This blog post will be updated as things become clearer, here's a little of what we know so far:

• 6 month mandatory learning period. (This does not mean you have to take lessons for 6 months, it just means you will not be able to sit your practical test until 6 months after your provisional licence has been issued. For example: A provisional licence holder who's licence becomes valid on 01/10/26 wont be allowed to take a practical test until 01/04/27 - assuming all other criteria has been met, logbook modules, theory test etc.)

  
  

• Removal of 45mph speed restriction for all learner drivers on all roads. (The 45mph speed limit law was introduced in the1960s, it's removal will allow learner drivers to gain training and experience at higher, more realistic speeds, and also bring Northern Ireland up to date with driver training and testing in the rest of the UK)

  
  

• Motorway lessons/training - only with an approved Instructor. (Motorway lessons have been available in the rest of the UK for some time now but only with an approved Instructor in a dual controlled car. The removal of the 45 mph speed limit for both new and learner drivers along with the other GDL changes will eventually make this possible in Northern Ireland. Motorway lessons are NOT mandatory in the rest of the UK)

  
  

• Complete a training logbook consisting of 14 modules, which must be signed off by an approved instructor or a supervising driver, such as a parent or guardian. (The specific content of these modules is not yet clear, but they are likely to cover night driving, dual carriageways, urban and rural roads, town driving, traffic lights, lanes, crossings, reversing, and more. The aim of GDL is not merely to teach people to pass a test, but to better prepare them for life on the road after passing the test.)

  
  

• Passenger restrictions for 6 months from passing the practical driving test. (Will NOT apply to immediate family members and will not apply if there is an accompanaying 21 year old or older in the front seat who has held a full driving licence for 3 years or longer. Outside of these exemptions, new drivers under the age of 24 will only be allowed to carry one passenger aged between 14 - 20 years old from 11pm to 6am.)

  
  

• New drivers to display a distinguishing plate for 2 years after passing their practical driving test. (Possibly R or N plate) (A distinctive plate must be shown for 2 years following the successful completion of the practical driving test. This will inform other road users that the vehicle is operated by a new driver, encouraging them to be more considerate. Blue R plates have been mentioned but as R stands for restricted this could prove a little confusing to other road users. Further clarification is needed on this issue.)

This post will be updated as more information becomes available, please be sure to check back in the near future, in the meantime feel free to leave feedback, comment and share!