# The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 Draft 2026, ISBN 9780338026408 These Regulations make amendments to the Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (“1998 Regulations”) as a consequence of the introduction on 1st October 2026 of Graduated Driver Licensing in Northern Ireland. Made under: Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (Article 19AB, Article 214, Article 218) PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/draft-motor-vehicles-specified-restrictions-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nidsr_9780338026408_en.pdf; NI Draft Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/draft-motor-vehicles-specified-restrictions-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nidsrem_9780338026408_en_001.pdf ## Introductory text Draft Regulations laid before the Assembly under Article 19AC(11) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, for approval Road Traffic And Vehicles Made 2026 Coming into operation 1st October 2026 The Department for Infrastructure makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 19AB(3), (5) and (11), 214(1) and 218(1) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and now vested in it. ## 1 Citation and commencement These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and shall come into operation on 1st October 2026. ## 2 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) Regulations (1) The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5). (2) In regulation 2 (restrictions on drivers) for “Article 19A(1) and (3)” substitute “Article 19AB(3)”. (3) In regulation 3 (distinguishing mark) for “Article 19A(5)(a)” substitute “Article 19AB(5)(a)”. (4) For regulation 4 (non-application of Article 19A of the 1981 Order) substitute— “Non-application of Article 19AB(5) of the 1981 Order 4. (1) Article 19AB(5) of the 1981 Order does not apply to— (a) any person while driving a motor vehicle the maximum speed of which is restricted by the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989to 45 miles per hour or less; or (b) the holder of a driving licence granted under the 1981 Order by reason of a test of competence passed by him at a time when he held a licence or permit which, by virtue of an order made under the Motor Vehicles (International Circulation) Act 1952, entitled him to drive motor vehicles in Northern Ireland. (2) Article 19AB(5)(a) of the 1981 Order does not apply to— (a) any member of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of His Majesty, while in uniform and driving a motor vehicle which is the property of the Crown; or (b) any member of the Police Service for Northern Ireland while driving a motor vehicle which is being used for police purposes.”. (5) For the Schedule (diagram of distinguishing mark to be displayed) substitute the Schedule set out in the Schedule to these Regulations. ## Signature Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Infrastructure on [date] 2026 [Name] A senior officer of the Department for Infrastructure ## “SCHEDULE Restrictions for new driver period Regulation 3 PART 1 Diagram of distinguishing mark to be displayed during the first 6 months of the new driver period PART 2 Diagram of distinguishing mark to be displayed during the remaining 18 months of the new driver period” ## Explanatory note (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations make amendments to the Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (“1998 Regulations”) as a consequence of the introduction on 1st October 2026 of Graduated Driver Licensing in Northern Ireland. The Regulations update references in regulations 2 and 3 of the 1998 Regulations to reflect the introduction of revised restrictions for newly qualified drivers of categories A and B vehicles. The Regulations also make consequential amendments to regulation 4 of the 1998 Regulations so that the non-application of both GDL Specified Restrictions, ie GDL “R” plates and passenger restrictions, apply to the same group of drivers and in the same circumstances as the non- application of the superseded Specified Restrictions applied, ie the amber “R” plates and 45mph speed limit. While regulation 4(2) does not cover the non-application of passenger restrictions to the drivers provided for, that non-application is covered by Article 19AB(7) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. References to “Her Majesty” and to “Royal Ulster Constabulary” in regulation 4 have been updated to read “His Majesty” and “Police Service for Northern Ireland”. In addition, the Schedule to these Regulations substitutes new two stage post-test “R” plates for the amber “R” plate outlined in the Schedule to the 1998 Regulations. An Explanatory Memorandum has been produced and is available from Driving, Vehicle and Road Safety Policy Division, Department for Infrastructure, James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast BT7 2JA or online alongside this Statutory Rule athttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr --- Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nidsr/2026/9780338026408 (the official version) Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-motor-vehicles-specified-restrictions-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.