Contents
1Citation and commencement#
(1)These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and shall come into operation on 1st October 2026.
2Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations#
(1)The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (7).
(2)In regulation 21 (application for practical and unitary tests)—
(a)at the beginning of paragraph (1) insert “Subject to regulation 21A,”; and
(b)in paragraph (2) for “such details and such fee” substitute “the details and fee specified in paragraph (1) and the details specified in regulation 21A(2), where applicable,”.
(3)After Regulation 21 insert—“21A 1 A person is exempt from the requirements of Article 5(2ZA) of the Order if at the time of making an application under regulation 21(1) he is entitled to claim carer’s allowance.2 A person who is exempt under paragraph (1) and who wishes to take a practical test to be conducted by an examiner shall, in addition to the requirements in regulation 21(1), provide proof of entitlement to claim carer’s allowance issued no more than 6 months prior to the date of application.”
(4)In regulation 27 (further requirements at tests)—
(a)in paragraph (7) for the definition of “appropriate licence” substitute—“• “appropriate licence” means a licence, other than an excepted provisional licence, which—(a) is valid at the date of the test;(b) bears the signature of the person who has submitted himself for the test; and(c) is either—(a) a provisional licence authorising the person submitting himself for the test to drive motor vehicles of the same class as the vehicle which he has provided for the test,(b) a full licence which by virtue of Article14(2) of the Order and regulation 14, authorises that person to drive motor vehicles of that class subject to the same conditions as if he were so authorised by a provisional licence,(c) a Great Britain licence corresponding to either of those licences, except in the case where the test is to be conducted in respect of a category B motor vehicle or a category A, A1 or A2 motor bicycle, and that test is not required by virtue of—(aa) an order made under Article 41 of the Offenders Order (or section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988); or(bb) Article 6 of, or paragraph 6 or 9 of Schedule 1 to, the Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (or section 4 of, or paragraph 6 or 9 of Schedule 1 to, the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995), or(d) a Community licence, which by virtue of Article 42(5) of the Offenders Order, authorises that person to drive motor vehicles of that class subject to the same conditions as if the person were so authorised by a provisional licence; and”
(5)After Part IVA insert—“47I 1 For the purposes of Article 13(B)(1)(a) of the Order the approved programme of training shall consist of—a in the case of motor bicycles, the matters specified in Part 1 of Schedule 10C; andb in the case of category B motor vehicles, the matters specified in Part 2 of Schedule 10C.2 To successfully complete the approved programme of training a person must—a in the case of motor bicycles, complete the modules specified in Part 1 of Schedule 10C unless that module is optional;b in the case of category B motor vehicles, complete the modules specified in Part 2 of Schedule 10C unless that module is optional;c record the completion of each of the modules mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b), as the case may be, in a logbook; andd on completion of the relevant approved programme of training ensure that, as evidence of completion, the logbook is signed by an appropriate person in accordance with Article 19D(1ZA)(ii) of the Order.47J 1 A logbook shall remain valid for a period of 2 years from the date on which it was signed by an appropriate person in accordance with Article 19D(1ZA)(ii) of the Order.2 The Department shall refuse to accept a logbook if, at the time it is produced to the Department under Article 5A(1) of the Order it is not valid.47K 1 Article 5A(1) of the Order shall not apply to a person who is required to pass a test of competence to drive by virtue of—a an order under Article 41 of the Offenders Order (or section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988); orb Article 6 of, or paragraph 6 or 9 of Schedule 1 to, the Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (or section 4 of, or paragraph 6 or 9 to Schedule 1 to, the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995).2 A person wishing to obtain a licence authorising him to drive a category A motor bicycle is exempt from the requirement to produce a logbook under Article 5A(1) of the Order if—a before 1st October 2026 that person held, for a period of not less than two years, a full licence authorising him to drive a category A1 or A2 motor bicycle; orb after 1st October 2026 that person successfully completes the approved programme of training for motor bicycles and obtains a licence authorising him to drive a category A1 or A2 motor bicycle.3 A person wishing to obtain a licence authorising him to drive a category A2 motor bicycle is exempt from the requirement to produce a logbook under Article 5A(1) of the Order if—a before 1st October 2026 that person held, for a period of not less than two years, a full licence authorising him to drive a category A1 motor bicycle; orb after 1st October 2026 that person successfully completes the approved programme for motor bicycles and obtains a licence authorising him to drive a category A1 motor bicycle.47L 1 For the purposes of Articles 5A(1) and 13B(1) of the Order the Department shall make available the approved programmes of training and logbook.2 In accordance with Articles 5A(8) and 13B(2)(d) of the Order there shall be a charge of £17 for access to the relevant approved programme of training and logbook.”
(6)In Schedule 7 (specified requirements for practical and unitary test)—
(a)in Part 1 in paragraph A (eyesight), after “daylight” insert “or artificial light”;
(b)in Part 2 in paragraph A (eyesight), after “daylight” insert “or artificial light”; and
(c)after Part 4, insert the Parts set out in Schedule 1.
(7)After Schedule 10B insert Schedule 10C as set out in the Schedule 2 to these Regulations.
Schedule 1
Schedule 2
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