The new licensing system will require a six-month wait for learner drivers before taking a practical test. It applies to all new drivers who obtain a provisional licence from 1 October 2026.
Restrictions include limits on night-time driving and the number of passengers allowed. Drivers who breach these rules may face three penalty points or a fine of up to £1,000.
The reforms target 17 to 23-year-olds, who accounted for 24% of fatal or serious collisions in 2024 despite holding only 8% of licences. The Department for Infrastructure described the changes as the most significant in 70 years.