Graduated driving licenses could come into place soon.

As part of the plan to introduce graduated driving licenses, here are some of the new rules that could affect learners and new drivers.

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What is a graduated license?

A Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system delivers a phased approach to driving which builds experience and competence to help minimize risk to young and novice drivers. This can include rules such as having to do a certain amount of driving lessons over a certain period of time and having restrictions when you first pass.

Some of the restrictions that may come into place

Driving curfews – restricting new drivers from roads during certain times

Road restrictions – Some types of roads such as motorways will not be allowed to be driven on

Passenger restrictions – Legal limit on how full a new driver’s car can be

lower alcohol limits – reduction in the legal threshold for blood readings

Speed limits – New drivers are restricted to slower speeds

Engine sizes – power output limits put on the new driver’s vehicles

mandatory P plates – required for up to two years after passing a test

When could this come into place

Originally planned in 2018 the graduated driver scheme was on its way to being approved but then scrapped in 2020 as it was deemed to take away new drivers ‘freedom’. However, after an increase in fatal road accidents including young people, the scheme has now been brought forward again as the government plan to introduce some of the restrictions mentioned above which could come into effect by this year

This includes the restriction of banning new drivers from driving passengers under the age of 25. While there is not an exact date for this rule, the outcome of the decision will be planned to be announced within the next few months

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