Countdown continues to Graduated Driver Licensing as advertising campaign launched
Date published:
An advertising campaign to raise awareness of the biggest change to driver licensing and testing in 70 years has been launched by the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) is a road safety scheme designed to reduce the disproportionate involvement of new – primarily young – drivers in fatal and serious road traffic collisions.
The multi-media campaign will use TV, digital, bus and on street advertising to get new drivers ‘Road Ready’ from 1 October 2026.
Minister Kimmins said
“From 1 October this year, I am introducing the most significant change to driver licensing and testing since the 1950s aimed at young drivers who are sadly most likely to be killed or seriously injured on our roads. The advertising campaign has been developed to highlight the changes coming in from 1 October 2026 to the way people learn to drive. It raises awareness of the change and sign-posts the public to nidirect where they can get more detailed information about the changes. The campaign will air from 17 August 2026. A ‘Road Ready’ brand has been developed as part of the campaign.
“The fundamental goal of learning to drive and the licensing process is to create drivers and motorcyclists who are safe, and not just technically competent. GDL plans to achieve this through a structured approach to learning to drive, including the completion of a Programme of Training and Logbook. This will better prepare drivers for both the driving test and initial post-test driving period by helping learners understand how human factors such as their attitude, personality, behaviour and feelings affect their driving style.
“Road safety is of the utmost importance to me. I will continue to do all that I can to make our roads safer. Sadly in 2024, there were 164 casualties (killed or seriously injured) from collisions where a car driver aged 17-23 was responsible. This age group of drivers account for 24% of fatal or serious collisions despite holding just 8% of licences.”
Link to the ‘Road Ready’ advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPRL4cGq0Os&feature=youtu.be
Notes to editors:
- Information about Graduated Driver Licensing coming into operation from 1 October 2026 is available on nidirect: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/graduated-driver-licensing
- GDL will include:
- A mandatory minimum learning period of six months before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test.
- A programme of training that details the learning required to become a safe driver, and which must be completed and recorded in a logbook before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test.
- An increase in the restriction period from the current 12 months to 24 months requiring new drivers to display a distinguishing mark (plate) on the vehicle for two years after receiving a full licence.
- A period of six months with nighttime driving restrictions for new drivers under 24.
- Age related nighttime passenger restrictions for newly qualified drivers, with exemption for immediate family members.
- GDL permits ‘L’ drivers to drive on a motorway as long as they are accompanied by an Approved Driving Instructor. Once the learner passes their test, they will be issued with the new ‘R’ plate which also allows them to drive on a motorway, where they can drive up to the posted speed limit.
- A new revision of the Highway Code (the Code) is being introduced to consolidate the changes being introduced by GDL. This will incorporate the new rules for learning to drive and for newly qualified drivers.
3.All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at:press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4.The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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