Category: United Kingdom

Photo: Valdemars Magone / Unsplash. Illustrative photograph.

Passing your test under Northern Ireland’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme starts a 6-month clock. During it, a new driver aged under 24 can carry no more than one passenger aged 14 to 20 between 11 pm and 6 am. Immediate family don’t count, and the limit is lifted if a front-seat passenger is 21 or over and has held a full licence for 3 years. This page explains what the rule means for your test date and your first months on the road, and answers the questions new NI drivers and parents ask most.

The rule at a glance

• Who: newly qualified GDL car drivers aged under 24. Not motorcyclists.
• When: 11 pm to 6 am.
• How long: the first 6 months after passing the practical test, while you display the blue R on white plate.
• The limit: no more than 1 passenger aged 14 to 20.
• Exempt: immediate family members, or when a front-seat passenger aged 21+ has held a full licence for 3 years.
• Penalty: up to £1,000 fine and 3 penalty points (Department for Infrastructure).

Will the rule apply after your test?

Answer these in order. If any answer is “no”, the rule does not apply to that trip.

1. Did you pass your car test under GDL? (Generally, your provisional entitlement started on or after 1 October 2026, or you passed on or after 1 April 2027.)
2. Are you under 24?
3. Are you within 6 months of passing?
4. Is it between 11 pm and 6 am?
5. Will you have 2 or more passengers aged 14 to 20 who are not immediate family?
6. Is there no front-seat passenger aged 21+ with a full licence held for 3 years?

Six “yes” answers means you would be breaking the rule.

Scenarios for your first 6 months: allowed or not?

Situation (driver aged 18, passed 2 months ago)	Allowed?	Why
Driving two friends aged 17 home at 11.30 pm	No	Two passengers aged 14 to 20 during restricted hours
Driving one friend aged 17 home at 11.30 pm	Yes	Only one passenger in the 14 to 20 range
Driving three friends aged 17 at 9 pm	Yes	Outside 11 pm to 6 am
Driving your brother (16) and sister (19) home at midnight	Yes	Immediate family are exempt
Three friends aged 18 at 1 am, with your aunt (45, licence for 25 years) in the front	Yes	Front-seat passenger is 21+ with a full licence held for 3 years
Same as above, but your 22-year-old friend who passed last year is in the front	No	Front passenger hasn’t held a full licence for 3 years
Two friends aged 21 at midnight	Yes	The limit only counts passengers aged 14 to 20

These examples apply the wording on nidirect and DfI pages. They are not official rulings.

Who counts as immediate family?

Neither nidirect nor the Department for Infrastructure’s GDL FAQs define “immediate family”. Brothers and sisters are the obvious case. For cousins, step-siblings, half-siblings or in-laws, get an answer from DVA before you rely on it. DVA has an online enquiry service, and that is the safest way to check a situation like this.

Breaking the rule: how it threatens your new licence

DfI says breaching the passenger restriction can bring a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 penalty points. You are in your 2-year probation period, so 6 or more points means your licence can be revoked. Two offences like this would get you there, and you would be back to retaking your tests.

Preparing for it before test day

GDL is aimed at young drivers aged 17 to 23. Late-night driving with friends of a similar age is the situation the scheme targets. The blue R on white plate exists partly so police can spot drivers in the restricted 6 months. While you are still learning, get supervised night driving logged so darkness is not new when the restriction lifts, and agree lift arrangements with friends before you pass rather than on the night.

Common questions

Does the rule apply if I’m 24 or older?

No. It applies to drivers under 24. You still display R plates for 2 years.

Do passengers under 14 count?

No. The limit is on passengers aged 14 to 20. Younger children and adults aged 21 or over are not limited by this rule, though every passenger still needs a seat belt or the right child seat.

Does it matter where the 21+ passenger sits?

Yes. The exemption is for a front-seat passenger aged 21 or over who has held a full licence for 3 years.

What if I set off at 10.30 pm and get home at 11.15 pm?

The rule covers 11 pm to 6 am, so the part of the trip after 11 pm counts. Plan drop-offs so you are down to one passenger aged 14 to 20 by 11 pm.

Does it apply to motorcyclists?

No. DfI says the passenger restriction applies to drivers only.

Does it apply if I passed before GDL started?

No. If you passed under the old rules (including pre-GDL learners who pass before 1 April 2027), you have the amber R plate and 45 mph limit instead. See the NI transition rules.

Looking for lessons or an instructor? Our sister site Compare Driving Instructors covers lesson prices and choosing an instructor.

Related: NI R plates explained, carrying passengers after passing, what changed on 1 October 2026. Main guide: Learning to drive in Northern Ireland.

Sources

• DVA, “Graduated Driver Licensing for newly qualified drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, “Graduated Driver Licensing FAQs” (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
• DVA, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVA, “Create or access your Graduated Driver Licensing Account” (nidirect.gov.uk)

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

If your Northern Ireland car provisional entitlement started before 1 October 2026, the date you pass your practical test now decides which rules you live with afterwards. You can still book and pass under the old system until 31 March 2027; pass in that window and you get the amber R plate and 45 mph limit for 1 year. From 1 April 2027 everyone, including you, must complete the GDL Programme of Training and Logbook before booking, and the test itself changes. This guide explains what the new rules mean for your test and the first two years, so pre-GDL learners can decide whether to race the deadline or switch to GDL.

The dates that matter for your test

Date	What happens
1 October 2026	GDL starts. It is mandatory for anyone whose car provisional entitlement began on or after this date.
1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027	Transition window. Pre-GDL learners can test under the current rules.
31 March 2027	Last day to pass under the old system.
1 April 2027	All learners must complete the Programme of Training and Logbook before booking. The test itself also changes.

Two routes: what each means after you pass

	Pass by 31 March 2027 (old system)	Pass on or after 1 April 2027 (GDL)
Before booking	Theory test pass	Theory test pass, plus all mandatory modules and final sign-off in the GDL Logbook
R plate	Amber R for 1 year	Blue R on white for 6 months, then white R on blue for 18 months
Speed limit after passing	45 mph for 1 year	No GDL speed limit
Passenger rule	Not under GDL	If under 24: night-time passenger limit for 6 months
App cost	None	£17 GDL account

The amber R plate rule exists because, in DVA’s words, your training and test will not have included driving above 45 mph.

Booking for the deadline, and what happens if you fail

If you fail and your retest falls on or after 1 April 2027, you must be enrolled in GDL. That means completing the logbook before you can book the retest. Practical tests can be hard to get at short notice, so if you are aiming for March 2027, book early and leave time for a second attempt.

• DVA releases car test appointments 3 months ahead, on the first working day of each month. See booking the DVA practical test.
• Appointments for late March 2027 should appear on the first working day of January 2027 if that pattern holds.

Does the 6-month minimum learning period delay your test?

The Mandatory Minimum Learning Period (MMLP) counts 6 months from the first date of your car provisional entitlement. If your entitlement started before 1 October 2026, you will already have passed 6 months by 1 April 2027. The practical extra work if you switch to GDL is the Programme of Training and Logbook.

Which test will you sit? Changes from 1 April 2027

nidirect says that from 1 April 2027 the NI car test changes:

• a longer independent driving section of about 20 minutes
• sat nav use
• “show me, tell me” questions asked on the move

The pass standard stays the same. Until then, the current DVA test has about 40 minutes of driving, one reversing exercise (reversing around a corner, turning in the road, or reverse parking) and an emergency stop. If there is a chance your test or a retest lands on or after 1 April 2027, practise following a sat nav and answering show me, tell me questions while driving now, so the newer format is not a surprise.

Race the deadline or switch? A readiness decision

• Race it if you are close to test standard now (comfortably under 15 driving faults on practice drives, with no serious faults) and can get a slot by March 2027. Downside: 45 mph for a year, which rules out normal motorway and dual carriageway speeds.
• Switch if you are not yet ready. You avoid the 45 mph limit, but you need the logbook done first, and if you are under 24 the night-time passenger limit applies for 6 months.

DVA’s guidance also covers pre-GDL learners who choose to complete GDL: if they pass before 1 April 2027, they still get the amber R plate and current restrictions.

Common questions

I got my provisional in September 2026. Am I on GDL?

Not automatically. Your entitlement began before 1 October 2026, so you can test under the old rules until 31 March 2027. If you pass on or after 1 April 2027, GDL applies.

I passed before 1 October 2026. Does anything change for me?

No. Keep the amber R plate and current restrictions until your restricted period ends.

Can I still drive above 45 mph as a learner before my test?

No, not if your provisional licence was granted before 1 October 2026. The transitional provisions in Schedule 1 to the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 keep the old 45 mph learner limit for you, and starting a GDL logbook does not remove it. Your licence date decides the rule, not logbook enrolment. The nidirect new drivers page also still tells provisional drivers to keep to 45 mph. Schedule 1 paragraph 16 keeps that learner limit for six months, from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so keep to 45 mph on L plates until then, and check with DVA if your situation is unusual. From 1 April 2027 the learner limit ends and normal speed limits apply. If you pass before 1 April 2027, the separate 12-month R plate restrictions start when you pass (Schedule 1 paragraph 18). Motorways are also off limits until 1 April 2027 for this group: the ADI motorway exception does not apply to a category B provisional licence that was in force before 1 October 2026 until that date. The 2020 Highway Code for Northern Ireland sets 45 mph for cars showing L plates. nidirect now says the limit for L-plated vehicles is subject to legislative change and points to the GDL page for the rules for your licence.

I’m on Carer’s Allowance. Is that different?

Learners who can prove they get Carer’s Allowance are exempt from the MMLP but must still finish the Programme of Training and Logbook. If your entitlement began after 1 October 2026 and you are MMLP-exempt, you may train at higher speeds, and if you pass before 31 March 2027 the GDL plates apply.

Can I start the GDL logbook now, just in case?

DVA’s guidance allows pre-GDL learners to choose GDL. Starting the logbook early protects you if you miss the deadline. See the GDL logbook app.

I have a GB provisional licence. Can I test in NI before the deadline?

No. From 1 October 2026, GB provisional licence holders cannot book or take car theory or practical tests in Northern Ireland. You need a Northern Ireland provisional licence.

Looking for lessons or an instructor? Our sister site Compare Driving Instructors covers lesson prices and choosing an instructor.

Related: NI R plates explained, what changed on 1 October 2026, the 6 month plan and 15 modules. Main guide: Learning to drive in Northern Ireland.

Sources

• DVA, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVA, “Graduated Driver Licensing for newly qualified drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, “Graduated Driver Licensing FAQs” (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
• DVA, “About the practical test for cars” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVA, “A guide to booking your practical driving test” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVA, “Motor vehicle documentation, learner and newly qualified driver requirements” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, “The Official Highway Code for Northern Ireland”, twentieth impression 2020 (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, “The Highway Code for Northern Ireland”, current online edition updated for GDL, September and October 2026 (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, SR 2026/143, regulation 4 (new regulation 11(2) and 11(3)) (legislation.gov.uk)
• Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, Schedule 1 paragraphs 16 and 18 (transitional provisions) (legislation.gov.uk)

Photo: Adrien Olichon / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

The NI driving test does not use motorways, but under Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) you can drive on one alone the day you pass, within the speed limit and at a speed that suits the conditions. Module 15 of the GDL Programme of Training is the motorway module. It is the one optional module, it does not count towards the sign-off you need to book your test, and as a learner you can only do it with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). This guide explains what the new rules mean for your test and your first two years: whether to do Module 15 before or after the test, what it covers, and which motorway rules you need to know anyway for the theory test.

Module 15 and your test: key facts

• 15 modules in total: Modules 1 to 14 are mandatory; Module 15 (motorway driving) is optional.
• Learners on motorways: only with an ADI. Rule 253 of the NI Highway Code says provisional car licence holders must not use motorways unless accompanied by an approved driving instructor. If your provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026, you cannot use this ADI exception until 1 April 2027.
• Module content: two parts, motorway signs and signals, and driving on a motorway.
• After you pass: you can drive on motorways without supervision, and you can still do Module 15 with an ADI or a supervising driver.
• Speed: the NI motorway limit for cars is 70 mph (112 km/h). GDL removes the old 45 mph limit for learners and newly qualified drivers.

Who can take you on a motorway, before and after the test

As a learner, only an ADI. Who is in the passenger seat decides it:

Who is with you	Motorway allowed as a learner?
Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)	Yes
Parent, relative or other supervising driver	No
Nobody (after you pass)	Yes, no supervision needed

Only DVA approved instructors (or trainee licence holders) can charge for driving lessons in NI.

What Module 15 covers (and the theory test will too)

nidirect lists two parts. The NI Highway Code sets the rules you practise in each. Even if you skip the module, these rules are fair game in the theory test.

Motorway signs and signals

• Motorway signals, including a speed shown in a red ring, which is mandatory (Rule 261).
• Lower temporary or permanent limits, such as at road works, which you must also obey.
• Sign meanings in detail: motorway signs and signals.

Driving on a motorway

• Joining (Rule 259): give priority to traffic already on the motorway, match your speed to fit into the left lane, and do not cross solid white lines.
• Lane discipline (Rule 264): drive in the left lane when the road ahead is clear and move back left after overtaking.
• Speed (Rule 261): no more than 70 mph, or a lower signed or vehicle limit.
• Hard shoulder: emergencies only, or when directed by police or signs.
• Right hand lane (Rule 265): on three or more lanes, not for vehicles towing a trailer or certain heavy vehicles.

Module sign off follows the normal logbook process: how GDL logbook sign off works.

Before or after your test?

The practical test does not use motorways, and the module is optional, so you can pass without it. Reasons to do it as a learner anyway:

• Once you pass, you can go straight onto a motorway alone. A first motorway drive with an instructor beside you is the safer way to learn joining and lane changes at 70 mph.
• Under GDL there is no 45 mph limit after you pass, so from day one you choose a safe speed up to the motorway limit yourself.

If you skip it before the test, you can still book a motorway lesson after passing.

Started learning before 1 October 2026? Your test date matters

If your provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026, you cannot take motorway lessons as a learner until 1 April 2027, even with an ADI. Learners on the pre-GDL route who pass by 31 March 2027 keep the old restrictions after passing: an amber R plate and a 45 mph limit for 12 months, so a motorway drive after passing stays at 45 mph. Older nidirect pages also still describe a 45 mph limit for any car showing L plates. Check with DVA or your ADI what limit applies to your licence before a motorway lesson. See the NI transition rules.

Common questions

Can my parent take me on the motorway in Northern Ireland?

No. A learner can only drive on a motorway with an ADI, and learners whose provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026 must wait until 1 April 2027 even for that.

Is Module 15 compulsory?

No. It is the only optional module. Modules 1 to 14 are mandatory.

Can I do Module 15 after I pass my test?

Yes, with an ADI or a supervising driver. You do not need supervision on motorways after passing, but the module is still available.

Is the motorway on the NI driving test?

No. Motorway rules can still come up in the theory test.

Does the car need dual controls for a motorway lesson?

The NI rules require an ADI but do not mention dual controls. Your instructor’s car will normally have them; ask your ADI.

What speed can I drive on the motorway after passing?

Under GDL, up to the posted limit, 70 mph for cars unless signs show lower. Transition route drivers who pass before 1 April 2027 are limited to 45 mph for 12 months.

Looking for lessons or an instructor? Our sister site Compare Driving Instructors covers lesson prices and choosing an instructor.

Related: NI R plates explained, the GDL 6 month plan and 15 modules, your first motorway drive and learners and motorways. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Northern Ireland.

Sources

• nidirect, “Cat B car Programme of Training modules” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Motorways (253 to 273)”, The Highway Code for Northern Ireland (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Minimum ages and rules for learner drivers and riders” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Find driving or motorcycle instructors” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, “Graduated Driver Licensing” FAQs (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, SR 2026/143, regulation 4 (new regulation 11(2) and 11(3)) (legislation.gov.uk)

Photo: Andras Stefuca / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

The road to passing your driving test in Northern Ireland changed on 1 October 2026, when Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) began. If your provisional entitlement started on or after that date, you cannot sit the practical test until you have learned for at least six months and had a 14 module Programme of Training signed off in a logbook. Then you pass the theory and practical tests with the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) and display R plates for two years. This guide takes NI learners and their parents through every stage in order, from provisional licence to test day and the first two years, with the current DVA fees and the transition rules for anyone who started before October 2026.

Learning in England, Scotland or Wales? The rules are different there. Read Learning to Drive in Great Britain instead.

Key facts: getting to your NI driving test

• You can apply for a car provisional licence up to two months before your 17th birthday. You cannot drive until it takes effect.
• A first provisional licence costs £62.50. The car theory test costs £23. The practical test costs £65 on weekdays and £95 for evenings and weekends (DVA fees as of November 2026).
• Under GDL there is a Mandatory Minimum Learning Period (MMLP) of six months from the start of your first car provisional entitlement.
• You must complete 14 mandatory training modules, each signed off in the logbook by a supervising driver or an approved driving instructor (ADI). Module 15, motorway driving, is optional and only with an ADI (with a later start date for some pre-October 2026 learners).
• After passing, GDL drivers display an R plate for two years. Drivers under 24 have a night-time passenger limit for the first six months.
• Learners who held a provisional licence before 1 October 2026 can still pass under the old rules until 31 March 2027.

Does GDL apply to your test?

Use this check before anything else, because the answer decides which rules you follow and when you can be tested.

Your situation	Which rules apply
Your car provisional entitlement started on or after 1 October 2026	GDL: six month MMLP, Programme of Training and logbook, two-year R plates, passenger rule
You held a car provisional licence before 1 October 2026 and pass before 1 April 2027	The previous system: amber R plate and a 45 mph limit for one year after passing
You held a provisional licence before 1 October 2026 but have not passed by 1 April 2027	GDL. Anyone taking the test on or after 1 April 2027 must be enrolled in GDL
You hold a GB provisional licence	From 1 October 2026 you cannot book or take a car test in NI. You need an NI provisional licence

The transition has its own guide: Started learning before 1 October 2026? The NI transition rules. For a summary of what changed on launch day, see GDL in Northern Ireland: what changed on 1 October 2026.

Why Northern Ireland brought in GDL

nidirect states that in 2024, drivers aged 17 to 23 were responsible for 24% of all fatal or serious injury collisions in Northern Ireland while holding only 8% of driving licences. GDL is designed to give new drivers more time and more varied experience before they drive on their own.

Stage 1: Your NI provisional licence

When and how to apply

nidirect says you can apply for a car provisional licence up to two months before your 17th birthday, but you must not drive until it comes into effect. You can apply online for a first provisional licence (the faster option) or by post using form DL1, available from main Post Office branches. The fee is £62.50 (as of November 2026).

• Online applications need a nidirect account with verified identity, an uploaded signature and a nominated certifier for your photo.
• The DVA aims to process a licence within 10 working days of receiving a complete application, but tells you to allow at least six weeks for it to arrive.

Read provisional licence rules in GB and NI for how the two systems compare.

Eyesight

On the practical test, the DVA examiner asks you to read a standard number plate from 20.5 metres (20 metres for plates with narrower characters). Practise with our number plate eyesight check and see driving eyesight rules.

Stage 2: Practising towards the test with a supervisor and an ADI

The rules for every car learner in NI

• A valid NI provisional licence.
• A roadworthy car that is taxed and insured for you.
• A supervising driver for ordinary practice who is at least 21 and has held a full car licence for at least three years. DVA’s general learner rules say that licence can be from NI, GB or an EU country.
• Signing GDL records is a separate question. DVA’s guidance for parents and supervising drivers describes a GDL supervising driver as at least 21 with a full NI licence held for at least three years; an ADI can also sign. Someone who may sit beside you for practice does not automatically qualify to sign your logbook, so check before they sign.
• L plates on the front and back of the car, easily seen, and removed when a learner is not driving.
• No motorway driving except with an ADI, and not at all before 1 April 2027 if your provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026 (see Module 15 below).

What about the 45 mph limit for learners?

This is the point most learners are confused about. The nidirect GDL learner page says GDL “removes the 45mph speed restriction” for learner and newly qualified drivers. That applies to learners whose provisional entitlement began on or after 1 October 2026. Older nidirect pages that limit every L-plated car to 45 mph describe the old rule. If your provisional licence was granted before 1 October 2026, Schedule 1 paragraph 16 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 keeps the old 45 mph learner limit for you for six months, from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Starting a GDL logbook or modules does not end it early. From 1 April 2027 that learner limit no longer applies, though normal speed limits still do. Passing is a separate question: if you pass before 1 April 2027 on the transition route, Schedule 1 paragraph 18 keeps the old new-driver restrictions for 12 months after you pass, including the amber R plate and the 45 mph limit.

The six-month Mandatory Minimum Learning Period: your earliest test date

Under GDL, the earliest you can take your car practical test is six months after your first car provisional entitlement starts. nidirect’s example: if your entitlement starts on 1 October 2026, you can take the test on or after 1 April 2027. Learners who can show they are entitled to Carer’s Allowance are exempt from the MMLP, but they must still complete the Programme of Training and logbook.

Our NI GDL six-month plan shows how to spread the modules across that time.

Stage 3: The Programme of Training and logbook

The car Programme of Training has 14 mandatory modules plus one optional module. The modules map closely onto what the examiner checks, so treat each sign-off as a step towards test standard, not just paperwork.

Module	Title
1	The driver
2	The vehicle
3	The law
4	Risk and hazard awareness
5	Controls and checks
6	Driving on the road
7	Road sharing
8	Vulnerable and other road users
9	Speed awareness
10	Manoeuvring your vehicle
11	Driving in adverse weather
12	Night-time driving
13	Driver distraction and in-car technology
14	Eco-safe driving and the environment
15 (optional)	Motorway driving, with an ADI only

How sign-off works

1. Create a GDL account online or in the GDL mobile app. nidirect lists the account fee as £17 (as of November 2026).
2. Work through each module with your supervising driver, your ADI or both.
3. After each mandatory module, the supervisor or ADI signs it off in the logbook.
4. When all mandatory modules are done, a supervising driver or ADI gives the final sign-off. You need this before you can take the practical test.

Step-by-step help is in the GDL logbook app: how module sign-off works.

Module 15: motorway lessons

From 1 October 2026 a category B learner may drive on a motorway in NI only with an ADI. If your provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026, that ADI exception does not apply to you until 1 April 2027, so even an ADI cannot take you on a motorway before then. A parent or other supervising driver can never take a learner on a motorway. Module 15 is optional. Once you pass, you can drive on motorways without supervision, and you can still do Module 15 afterwards with an ADI or a supervising driver. See GDL Module 15: motorway lessons.

Stage 4: The DVA theory test

The car theory test in Northern Ireland costs £23 (as of November 2026). nidirect says the earliest you can take it is normally your 17th birthday, when your provisional licence becomes valid.

Part	Format	Pass mark
Multiple choice	50 questions in about 57 minutes (extra time available for reading difficulties)	43 out of 50
Hazard perception	Video clips after a short tutorial clip	44 out of 75

You must pass both parts in the same sitting. If you fail, you can rebook the next day but must wait three clear working days before sitting it again. Your certificate lasts two years from the pass date, with no exceptions. The theory test format matches the one used in Great Britain, so our guides apply: the theory test guide, how hazard perception works and free practice questions.

The Highway Code for Northern Ireland

NI has its own Highway Code, published on nidirect. Its sections follow the same rule numbers as the GB version for most topics, from Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35) to Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307). The NI sections on nidirect were updated for GDL in September and October 2026, but they still do not include the GB changes of 29 January 2022 that added the hierarchy of road users (Rules H1 to H3). NI also has its own rules on parking near junctions, reporting collisions and roundabout lanes, plus a clock face roundabout appendix. Read Northern Ireland Highway Code vs Great Britain before you revise from a GB book or website.

For sign shapes, colours and meanings, see our UK road signs guide, and check any NI-specific differences in the NI Highway Code.

Stage 5: Booking and passing the DVA practical test

Booking

• The DVA releases car test appointments three months ahead, on the first working day of each month, at all test centres.
• Book online, or by phone from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Have your provisional licence and theory test certificate ready.
• Fees as of November 2026: £65 on weekdays, £95 for evenings and weekends. The extended test for disqualified drivers costs £130 (weekday).
• Under GDL you also need the final logbook sign-off and to have served the six-month MMLP.

More on slots, centres and fees: booking the DVA practical driving test.

Before you book: a readiness check

• Your six-month MMLP has been served (unless you are exempt) and the final logbook sign-off is done.
• Your theory certificate will still be valid on the test date; it lasts two years from the pass date.
• You can read a number plate at the required distance.
• You can drive a full test-length route on your own decisions, with no prompts from your supervisor or ADI.
• You can do each reversing exercise and an emergency stop safely, and answer show me, tell me questions.
• Practice drives are coming in well under 15 driving faults, with no serious or dangerous faults.

What happens on the test now

1. Eyesight check first. If you cannot read the plate, the test does not continue.
2. Two vehicle safety questions: one “show me” and one “tell me”. Getting one or both wrong is one driving fault. See show me, tell me questions.
3. About 40 minutes of driving, including a section of independent driving following traffic signs, directions or both.
4. One reversing exercise, chosen from reversing around a corner, turning in the road, or reverse parking (on the road or into a bay), plus an emergency stop.

You pass with up to 15 driving faults. Sixteen or more, or one serious or dangerous fault, is a fail. Our GB and NI driving test guide compares the two tests.

What changes on the test from 1 April 2027

nidirect says that from 1 April 2027 the independent driving section extends to about 20 minutes, sat nav use is introduced, and show me, tell me questions are asked on the move. The pass standard does not change.

Stage 6: After you pass: the first two years under GDL

R plates for two years

Period after passing	Plate	What it shows
First 6 months	Blue R on a white background	The age-related passenger and night-time restrictions apply
Next 18 months	White R on a blue background	You are still in the two-year new driver period

R plates must meet the same specification and visibility rules as L plates, and must be removed or covered when someone else drives. Learners who passed under the old system display an amber R plate instead. Full detail: Northern Ireland R plates explained.

The night-time passenger rule

For the first six months after passing, a GDL driver under 24 may carry no more than one passenger aged 14 to 20 between 11pm and 6am. It does not apply to immediate family members, or when a front-seat passenger aged 21 or over who has held a full licence for at least three years is with you. Read who counts as family and other exemptions.

No speed restriction under GDL

GDL drivers have no speed restriction after passing. The 45 mph limit for one year applies only to learners who pass under the previous system before 1 April 2027.

Six points in two years

Under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, you lose your licence if you reach six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first test. Valid points from before you passed still count. To get your licence back you reapply for a provisional licence and pass both tests again. Exchanging your provisional for a full licence after passing is free.

Driving across the border

Many NI drivers cross into the Republic of Ireland, where speed limits are in km/h and learner rules differ. See driving across the border.

Alcohol

The drink-drive limit in Northern Ireland is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, 80 mg per 100 ml of blood or 107 mg per 100 ml of urine, the same as England and Wales. The safest choice for any new driver is not to drink at all before driving. Compare all UK limits in drink and drug driving limits.

Worked example: a GDL learner from provisional to test pass

• Two months before turning 17: apply online for an NI provisional licence (£62.50) and set up a GDL account.
• 17th birthday (say 1 November 2026): the provisional entitlement starts, and so does the six-month MMLP. Book the theory test.
• November to April: work through Modules 1 to 14 with an ADI and a supervising parent, getting each signed off. Run a full practice test before booking.
• Early in that period: pass the theory test (£23).
• 1 May 2027 or later: with the final sign-off done, take the practical test. It now includes about 20 minutes of independent driving and sat nav.
• Pass: blue R on white for six months with the passenger rule, then white R on blue for 18 months.

Common questions

Does GDL apply if I got my provisional licence before October 2026?

Not if you pass before 1 April 2027. You can finish under the previous rules. If you take your test on or after 1 April 2027, you must be enrolled in GDL.

Can my parent sign off my logbook?

Yes, if they meet DVA’s GDL supervising driver description: at least 21, with a full NI licence held for at least three years. An ADI can also sign off modules and give the final sign-off, and you can use one or both. A parent with a GB or EU licence may still supervise ordinary practice, but should check with DVA before signing any GDL record.

Can I drive on the motorway as a learner in Northern Ireland?

Only with an approved driving instructor, as part of the optional Module 15. A parent or other supervising driver cannot take you on a motorway while you are learning. If your provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026, you cannot have motorway lessons at all until 1 April 2027, even with an ADI.

Can I take the practical test sooner than six months?

Not under GDL, unless you can show you are entitled to Carer’s Allowance. The six months run from the start of your first car provisional entitlement.

Can I use a GB provisional licence to take my test in NI?

No. Since 1 October 2026, holders of a GB provisional licence cannot book or take a car test in Northern Ireland. You need an NI provisional licence.

How much does the driving test cost in Northern Ireland?

As of November 2026 the DVA charges £65 for a weekday car test and £95 for an evening or weekend test. The theory test is £23.

Do I still have a 45 mph limit after passing?

Not under GDL. Only learners who pass under the previous system before 1 April 2027 have the 45 mph limit and amber R plate for a year.

Looking for lessons or an instructor? Our sister site Compare Driving Instructors covers lesson prices and choosing an instructor.

Sources

• nidirect, “Graduated Driver Licensing” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Graduated Driver Licensing: newly qualified drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “The Programme of Training and Logbook” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Cat B (car) Programme of Training modules” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Guidance for parents and supervising drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Why Graduated Driver Licensing has been introduced in NI” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Minimum ages and rules for learner drivers and riders” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Motor vehicle documentation, learner and newly qualified driver requirements” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Applying for a provisional driving licence” and “The cost of a driving licence” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Driving test fees” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Taking the theory test” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “A guide to booking your practical driving test” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “About the practical test for cars” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Driving eyesight requirements” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “New drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “The Highway Code” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “The drink drive limit” (gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, SR 2026/143, regulation 4 (new regulation 11(2) and 11(3)) (legislation.gov.uk)
• Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, Schedule 1 paragraphs 16 and 18 (transitional provisions) (legislation.gov.uk)

Photo: Jakub / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

In Northern Ireland your provisional licence is the first step towards your driving test, and under Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) its start date sets the earliest date you can take the practical test. Your first provisional comes from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), not the DVLA. It costs £62.50 (as of November 2026), and you can apply up to two months before your 17th birthday so the six-month minimum learning period starts on the day you turn 17. This guide covers eligibility, the fee, the online and paper routes, how your start date fixes your earliest test, and the rules while you practise.

Key facts for your test timeline

• Fee: £62.50 for a first provisional licence.
• Apply up to two months before your 17th birthday. The licence cannot be valid before your 17th birthday.
• Online is faster than post. DVA aims to process a complete application within 10 working days; allow at least six weeks for delivery.
• Anyone whose provisional entitlement begins on or after 1 October 2026 learns under GDL.
• Since 1 October 2026, you need a Northern Ireland provisional licence (not a GB one) to take car theory and practical tests in Northern Ireland.

When can you apply, and when can you sit the tests?

Your situation	Earliest you can apply	Earliest you can drive a car
Most car learners	Two months before your 17th birthday	Your 17th birthday
You get the enhanced rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)	Three months before your 16th birthday	Your 16th birthday
You hold a provisional licence for a moped or agricultural vehicle at 16	Already covered	Car entitlement only comes into effect at 17

Applying early does not let you book your theory test early. For a car you still wait until your 17th birthday to book it. See the DVA theory test.

How much does a provisional licence cost in Northern Ireland?

£62.50 for a first provisional licence, whether you apply online or by post. Other DVA licence fees that learners sometimes need:

Licence service	Fee (as of November 2026)
First provisional licence	£62.50
Provisional to full after passing a car, motorcycle or moped test	Free
Renewing a provisional licence	£30.00
Duplicate for a lost or stolen licence	£30.00
Change of name or address	Free

A provisional licence expires every 10 years.

How to apply without delaying your start date

Online (faster)

The nidirect online service is only for first-time provisional car and motorcycle licences. Have these ready:

1. A nidirect account with your identity verified.
2. A digital photo, or a photo code, that meets the digital photo rules.
3. An uploaded copy of your identity document.
4. An uploaded signature (nidirect provides a template, or you can sign inside a box drawn on plain paper).
5. The email address of an authorised person who will certify your photo. Tell them before you submit so they expect the request. Online applications need this even if you use a share code.
6. A credit or debit card for the £62.50.

By post

Use form DL1, available from Post Offices. Send it with original identity documents, a passport-style colour photograph and the £62.50 fee. Postal applications take longer than online ones.

Once your licence is issued, you can link it to your nidirect account to view and share your licence details.

Your provisional start date fixes your earliest practical test

GDL is mandatory for everyone whose provisional entitlement began on or after 1 October 2026. For car learners it means:

• A Mandatory Minimum Learning Period (MMLP) of six months. You can sit your practical test six months after your date of first provisional entitlement.
• A Programme of Training recorded in a logbook, with every mandatory module signed off by a supervising driver or an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).

The six months start from your entitlement date, which is your 17th birthday at the earliest. So the earliest a typical learner can take the car test is at 17 and a half. Applying two months early simply means the licence is in your hand on your birthday, so the clock starts that day. Learners whose entitlement began before 1 October 2026 have until 31 March 2027 to book and pass under the old system; see the NI transition rules.

More on the modules and logbook: the GDL logbook app and module sign off.

Rules while you practise for the test

Supervision

You must have a qualified driver with you whenever you drive a car. They must be 21 or over, have held a full car licence for at least three years, and hold a licence from Northern Ireland, Great Britain or an EU country. If you are on GDL, the supervising driver who signs off your logbook modules must hold a full Northern Ireland licence.

L plates

Display red L plates on the front and back of the car so they are easily seen. Take them off when a non-learner is driving.

Insurance and the car

The car must be insured for you to drive (third party at minimum), taxed and, if four years old or more, have a valid MOT. See how DVA vehicle tests work.

Speed

Older nidirect guidance says a car displaying L plates is limited to 45 mph. The nidirect GDL learner page says GDL removes the 45mph speed restriction on learner and newly qualified drivers. That GDL change covers learners whose provisional entitlement began on or after 1 October 2026. If your provisional licence was granted before that date, Schedule 1 paragraph 16 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 keeps the 45 mph learner limit for you for six months, from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, even if you start a GDL logbook. From 1 April 2027 that learner limit ends and normal speed limits apply. If you pass during those six months, the separate 12-month new-driver restrictions apply after you pass (Schedule 1 paragraph 18).

Motorways

Under GDL, motorway driving is optional Module 15, and a learner can only drive on a motorway with an ADI. A provisional licence that was in force before 1 October 2026 does not qualify for that ADI exception until 1 April 2027. See GDL Module 15: motorway lessons.

Who can teach you

Paid lessons must come from a registered ADI or someone holding a valid DVA ADI trainee licence, within its conditions. Family and friends can supervise you for free if they meet the rules above, and can sign off GDL modules towards your test.

Common questions

How long does a provisional licence take in Northern Ireland?

DVA aims to process a complete application within 10 working days of receiving it, but nidirect advises allowing at least six weeks for the licence to arrive. Online is quicker than post.

Can I drive as soon as my application is sent?

No. You must not drive until the licence comes into effect and you have it.

Can I take my NI tests on a GB provisional licence?

From 1 October 2026 you cannot take car theory or practical tests in Northern Ireland on a GB provisional licence. If you live in Northern Ireland, apply for an NI licence.

Who can certify my photo?

An authorised person under the nidirect photo certification rules. Check the “Having your photo certified” guidance on nidirect before you nominate someone.

Do I pay again for my full licence after passing?

No. Upgrading from provisional to full after passing a car test is free in Northern Ireland.

Can I apply at 16?

Only for a moped or agricultural vehicle, or for a car if you get the PIP mobility enhanced rate. Otherwise apply from two months before you turn 17.

Looking for lessons or an instructor? Our sister site Compare Driving Instructors covers lesson prices and choosing an instructor.

Back to the complete guide to learning to drive in Northern Ireland. See also provisional licence rules in GB and NI compared and the cost of learning to drive in Northern Ireland.

Sources

• nidirect, “Applying for a provisional driving licence” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Apply for a provisional driving licence online” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “The cost of a driving licence” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Minimum ages and rules for learner drivers and riders” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Motor vehicle documentation, learner and newly qualified driver requirements” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “The Programme of Training and Logbook” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Choosing a driving instructor” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “About the driving theory test” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “How to become an approved driving instructor (ADI)” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, SR 2026/143, regulation 4 (new regulation 11(2) and 11(3)) (legislation.gov.uk)
• Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, Schedule 1 paragraphs 16 and 18 (transitional provisions) (legislation.gov.uk)

Photo: Jonathan Borba / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Northern Ireland has its own Highway Code, published by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). It is based on the Great Britain version but is not the same. The biggest gap for learners: the GB 2022 changes, including the hierarchy of road users (rules H1 to H3), do not appear in the NI code. This guide sets out the differences that matter if you learn in Northern Ireland, or move between NI and GB.

Key differences at a glance

Topic	Northern Ireland	Great Britain
Which code	The Highway Code for Northern Ireland (DfI), published section by section on nidirect. Those sections were updated in September and October 2026 for GDL.	The Highway Code (England, Scotland and Wales)
Hierarchy of road users (H1 to H3)	Not in the NI code	In force since 29 January 2022
Overtaking cyclists (Rule 163)	At least as much room as when overtaking a car	At least 1.5 metres at speeds up to 30 mph; horses under 10 mph and at least 2 metres
Pedestrians at junctions (Rule 170)	Pedestrians who have started to cross have priority	Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross
Cycle lane surfacing	Often green; follow the signs and white-line markings	Colour varies by highway authority; colour alone does not define the lane rules
Learner and new driver plates	L plates; R plates after passing (GDL)	L plates (D plates allowed in Wales); optional P plates
Licensing and tests	DVA	DVLA (licences) and DVSA (tests)
Police and roadside enforcement	PSNI; DVA Enforcement Officers	Police; DVSA officers; traffic officers on some major roads
No parking near a junction	Must not stop or park within 15 metres of a junction (Rule 240)	Do not park within 10 metres of a junction (Rule 243)
Reporting a collision to police	Immediately, if you did not give your details at the scene (Rule 286)	As soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours
First MOT	At four years old, at a DVA test centre	At three years old, at an approved test centre
Drink drive limit	80 mg per 100 ml of blood	Same in England and Wales; lower in Scotland
Speed limits	mph: 30 built-up, 60 outside built-up areas, 70 dual carriageways and motorways	The same ordinary car limits on unlit single carriageways, dual carriageways and motorways; the default on restricted roads in Wales is 20 mph, unlike 30 mph in England, Scotland and NI

Has Northern Ireland adopted the hierarchy of road users?

No sign of it as of November 2026. GOV.UK says the January 2022 changes apply to England, Scotland and Wales. The NI code on nidirect, including the sections updated for GDL in September and October 2026, contains no hierarchy and no rules H1 to H3. DfI has the legal power to revise the NI code, but no adoption announcement was found.

In practice: what GB learners are taught about priority for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders goes further than the NI code. See the hierarchy of road users for the GB rules.

Overtaking cyclists and horse riders

• NI Rule 163: give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car. No distance in metres.
• GB Rule 163: at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30 mph, more at higher speeds; pass horse riders under 10 mph with at least 2 metres.

In Northern Ireland, choose enough room for the road, speed and road user; 1.5 metres is not a universal clearance that satisfies all of the GB advice. In GB, allow more than 1.5 metres for cyclists above 30 mph, and follow the separate advice to pass horses at under 10 mph with at least 2 metres. GB detail: the 1.5 metre rule and passing horses safely.

Pedestrians at junctions

• NI Rule 170 and Rule 8: if pedestrians have started to cross the road you are turning into, they have priority, so give way.
• GB Rule 170: give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road you are turning into or out of.

If you learnt in NI and drive in GB, expect to give way earlier. See Highway Code rules for pedestrians.

Other GB 2022 rules the NI code does not contain

The GB code gained several new duties in January 2022 that the NI code on nidirect does not include. Following them in NI is still safe driving, but the NI wording is different:

• Zebra crossings: NI Rule 195 tells you to look out for people waiting and be ready to stop, and says you must give way once a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing. GB Rule 195 adds that you should give way to people waiting to cross.
• Cycle lanes: GB Rule 140 tells you to give way to cyclists in a cycle lane, including those coming up behind you, and not to cut across them when turning. NI Rule 140 tells you not to drive or park in a cycle lane (a must where the lane has a solid white line) but has no give way wording.
• Cyclists on roundabouts: GB Rule 186 tells you to give cyclists priority on a roundabout. NI Rule 187 tells you to give cyclists and horse riders who stay in the left lane plenty of room and let them continue round.
• Opening car doors: GB Rule 239 recommends opening the door with the hand furthest from it, so you turn and look behind. NI Rule 239 says you must not hit anyone when you open your door and to check for cyclists and other traffic, without that method.
• Cyclist road positions: GB Rules 72 and 213 explain that cyclists may ride in the centre of the lane. The NI cyclist rules do not include these positions, so do not assume an NI cyclist in the middle of the lane is doing anything wrong.
• Passing horses: GB Rule 215 sets 10 mph and at least 2 metres. NI Rule 215 says pass wide and slowly.

NI cyclist rules worth knowing as a driver

The NI rules for cyclists (59 to 82) are written for people on bikes, but they explain what you will see from the driver’s seat. Most of them are advice, not law:

• Cycle routes and facilities (NI Rule 61): cyclists are told to use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless it is unsafe at the time. Using them is not compulsory, so a cyclist on the road beside a cycle route is not doing anything wrong.
• Cycle tracks (NI Rule 62): some tracks are shared with pedestrians (unsegregated); on segregated tracks cyclists must keep to the side intended for cyclists. Cyclists are told to take care around pedestrians, so expect a cyclist leaving a busy shared track to rejoin the road.
• Riding side by side (NI Rule 66): cyclists should never ride more than two abreast, and should ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends. This is advice to cyclists; give a pair of riders the same room as a car when you overtake (NI Rule 163).
• Long vehicles turning (NI Rule 73): cyclists are told that long vehicles need a lot of room at corners, may move over to the right before turning left, and that drivers may not see them, so they should not ride in the space between the vehicle and the kerb.
• Roundabouts (NI Rule 77): cyclists may walk round instead. If they ride, they are told to take extra care when cycling across exits, may signal right to show they are not leaving, and to watch for vehicles crossing their path to leave or join. A cyclist signalling right in the left lane is usually staying on; see NI Rule 187 above.

Roundabouts: the NI clock face appendix

The NI code has an extra Appendix on roundabouts. It treats every roundabout as a clock face, with you arriving at six o’clock:

Exit	Approach lane	Signal
First exit (8 o’clock)	Left	Left on approach, kept on until just after you leave
Second exit (10 o’clock)	Left	None on approach; left after passing the exit before yours
Third exit, straight on (12 o’clock)	Left (or right if you approached in the right lane)	None on approach; left after passing the exit before yours
Fourth or fifth exit (2 or 4 o’clock)	Right, keeping near the centre	Right on approach; change to left after passing the exit before yours, then check over your left shoulder and move left to leave

Lane arrows and signs on the approach always take priority over this pattern. If there is no traffic at or on the roundabout, the NI Appendix says you may take the shortest convenient route through it.

Parking and waiting

• Junctions: NI Rule 240 says you must not stop or park within 15 metres of any junction, except in a lay-by in some circumstances or a marked parking area. GB advice is 10 metres.
• Pavements: NI Rule 244 says do not park partly or wholly on the footway or footpath unless signs permit it.
• Parking tickets: most parking and waiting offences in NI are enforced by traffic attendants working for the Department for Infrastructure, not by the police (NI Rule 252 and PSNI guidance).

Police, enforcement officers and motorways

• Who can stop you: the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and DVA Enforcement Officers. NI Rules 105 and 107 say you must obey their signals. DVA officers use flashing amber lights, either in front asking you to follow them or behind directing you to pull over. The NI code does not mention the traffic officers found on some GB roads.
• At incidents: NI Rule 281 says PSNI officers and TransportNI officials may work in the carriageway, and police use rear-facing flashing red and blue lights. Slow down and be ready to stop.
• Motorway breakdowns: NI Rule 275 tells you to leave at the next exit or a service area if you can. Otherwise pull onto the hard shoulder as far left as possible, leave by the left-hand doors, and walk to an emergency telephone. These are about a mile apart and connect directly to the police. Never place a warning triangle on a motorway.
• Smart motorway rules: the NI motorway and breakdown sections contain no equivalent of GB Rule 270 (emergency areas) or GB Rule 275 (places of relative safety). If you will drive on GB smart motorways, learn the GB rules first.

After a collision

If a collision damages or injures another person, vehicle, animal or property, you must stop and give your name and address, the owner’s name and address and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask. The NI timings differ from GB:

• You did not give your details at the scene: NI Rule 286 says report it to the police immediately. GB allows as soon as reasonably practicable, within 24 hours.
• Someone was injured and you did not show your insurance certificate: NI Rule 287 says report it to the police immediately and produce the certificate as soon as reasonably practicable. GB allows up to seven days to produce it.

The general steps are the same in both: see what to do after a car accident.

Penalties and fixed penalties in NI

NI offences are dealt with under NI law, mainly the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

• Totting up: 12 or more penalty points within three years means a ban of at least six months.
• New drivers: six or more points within two years of passing means your licence is revoked. Points from before you passed count, and so do points paid by fixed penalty.
• Hand-held phone: an automatic fixed penalty of six points and a £200 fine. In court, up to £1,000 and possible disqualification.
• Careless driving: an automatic fixed penalty of three points and £100 is possible. In court, 3 to 9 points and a fine of up to £5,000.
• Other endorsable fixed penalties: PSNI says these, including the common ones for speeding and not wearing a seat belt, carry a £60 fine plus points. Driving uninsured can be dealt with by a £200 fixed penalty and six points, and the car is seized.
• Drink driving: the NI penalty table gives up to six months in prison, a fine of up to £5,000 and an obligatory ban; GB fines are unlimited. Drivers banned twice in 10 years, or once at more than two and a half times the limit, or for refusing a specimen, must satisfy DVA’s medical branch before a licence is issued again.

Points and endorsement codes in general: driving penalties and points.

Smoking in the car

NI Rule 148 lists smoking as a distraction and says you must not smoke in public transport or some work vehicles. Separately, nidirect says it is an offence to smoke in an enclosed private vehicle carrying more than one person when someone in it is under 18. The fixed penalty is £50, and a driver who allows it can also be fined.

Trams, equestrian crossings and GB-only sections

The NI code keeps sections that mainly apply in GB, because NI residents may drive there:

• Tramways (Rules 300 to 307): marked “currently applies to Great Britain only”.
• Equestrian crossings (Rule 27): included, with a note that many NI road users won’t be familiar with them.
• Home Zones, Quiet Lanes and high occupancy vehicle lanes: marked Great Britain only.

The NI code recommends that anyone driving in GB also gets the GB Highway Code, and anyone driving in the Republic of Ireland gets the Rules of the Road. See driving alongside trams.

Learner and new driver rules

This is where NI and GB differ most since Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) began on 1 October 2026.

	Northern Ireland (GDL)	Great Britain
Minimum learning period	6 months from first car provisional entitlement	None (under consultation)
Logbook	Required before booking	Not required
Learners on motorways	With an ADI only; not before 1 April 2027 if the provisional licence was in force before 1 October 2026	With an ADI in a dual-control car only
After passing	R plates for 2 years; night-time passenger limit for under-24s for 6 months	No plate or passenger rules (P plates optional)
Provisional licence	NI provisional needed for NI tests	GB provisional

More: NI R plates explained, the night-time passenger rule, the GB minimum learning period consultation.

Drink and drug driving

• Alcohol: the NI limit is 80 mg per 100 ml of blood, the same as England and Wales. Scotland’s is lower, at 50 mg.
• Drugs: in NI, driving while impaired by drugs is an offence, but nidirect says no set limits apply to individual drugs. GB has specified drug limits.

See drink and drug driving limits.

Other practical differences

• Who does what: DVA handles licences, tests and MOTs in NI. DVLA still handles car tax, vehicle registration and SORN.
• Bus lanes: CCTV-detected unauthorised use can lead to a £90 Penalty Charge Notice, reduced to £45 if paid within 14 days of the letter’s issue date.
• Tolls: none in NI, but you will meet them on major motorways in the Republic.
• Rule numbering: NI groups Motorways as Rules 253 to 273 and Breakdowns and incidents as Rules 274 to 287. Because NI has no emergency area rule, NI rule numbers from 270 to 280 do not line up with GB’s, so check the topic, not just the number.

What stays the same

Most rules are shared: driving on the left, giving way to traffic from the right at roundabouts, the ban on hand-held phones, seat belt law, road signs and markings, stopping distances, most ordinary car limits outside built-up areas and the 45 metre warning triangle distance on ordinary roads. If you know one code well, you know most of the other.

Common questions

Which Highway Code do I use for the NI theory test?

The Highway Code for Northern Ireland, available on nidirect. See learning to drive in Northern Ireland.

Is the 1.5 metre passing rule law in Northern Ireland?

No. The NI code says give cyclists at least as much room as a car. The 1.5 metre figure is in the GB code only. Giving 1.5 metres in NI is still good practice.

Do I have to give way to pedestrians waiting at a junction in NI?

The NI code gives priority to pedestrians who have started to cross. GB Rule 170 says you should also give way to pedestrians waiting to cross the road into which or from which you are turning. This is Highway Code advice rather than a separate legal requirement.

How long do I have to report a collision in NI?

If you could not give your details at the scene, the NI code says report it to the police immediately. The GB 24 hour window does not appear in the NI code.

Why are cycle lanes green in NI?

NI guidance describes green surfacing, but do not use colour alone to identify a cycle lane or decide its rules. Coloured surfacing is not compulsory in England and local choices vary; signs and white-line markings matter.

Do the GB and NI codes use the same road signs?

Signs are broadly the same, and both codes are in mph. The big change is crossing into the Republic of Ireland, where speed limit signs are in km/h. See driving across the border.

Are speed limits the same?

Not everywhere. For ordinary cars, the national limits on single carriageways, dual carriageways and motorways are generally 60, 70 and 70 mph. On restricted roads with street lighting, the default is 30 mph in NI, England and Scotland, but 20 mph in Wales, unless signs show another limit. Lower signed limits and any driver-specific restrictions still apply. See UK speed limits.

Main guide: Learning to drive in Northern Ireland. GB equivalent: Learning to drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Infrastructure, “The Highway Code” for Northern Ireland, online sections (nidirect.gov.uk), read November 2026
• nidirect, “Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)”, The Highway Code (nidirect.gov.uk), read November 2026
• nidirect, “Waiting and parking (238 to 252)”, “Motorways (253 to 273)” and “Breakdowns and incidents (274 to 287)”, The Highway Code (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Appendix: roundabouts” and “Penalties”, The Highway Code annexes (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Using your mobile phone while driving” and “Careless and dangerous driving” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Smoking and vaping laws in Northern Ireland” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• PSNI, “Fixed Penalty Notices” (psni.police.uk)
• nidirect, “How the MOT scheme works” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVA, “The Highway Code” (contents and online sections, including “Introduction to the Highway Code”, “Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35)” and “Using the road (159 to 203)”) (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVA, “Driving in Northern Ireland” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements” (gov.uk)
• DVA, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• DVSA, “Supervise a learner driver” (gov.uk)
• UK Government, “The drink drive limit” and “Speed limits” (gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Bus lane Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)” (nidirect.gov.uk)
• Active Travel England, “Coloured surfacing” (activetravelengland.gov.uk)
• Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, Article 51 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Department for Infrastructure, The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, SR 2026/143, regulation 4 (new regulation 11(2) and 11(3)) (legislation.gov.uk)