Northern Ireland's new graduated driving licence rules give campaigners hope for England and Wales
From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.
Crystal Owen, whose 17-year-old son Harvey was killed in 2023 along with three friends when their car left a rural road in Gwynedd, says Northern Ireland's landmark new driving rules are a "very positive step forward" — but insists the measures fall short of what is needed. Northern Ireland became the first part of the UK to introduce a Graduated Driver Licensing scheme on 1 October, requiring learners to complete at least six months of training before sitting their practical test. Drivers aged under 24 must display an R plate for two years and, in the initial six-month period following their test, are barred from having young passengers in the car between 11pm and 6am.
Young drivers aged 17 to 23 caused 24 per cent of fatal or serious crashes in Northern Ireland in 2024, despite holding just 8 per cent of licences.
Owen said the night-time passenger restriction "doesn't go far enough" and questioned why England's young people are denied the same protections.
Drivers who break the new rules face three penalty points or a fine of up to £1,000.