To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she has made any assessment of the inconsistency caused by the new Graduated Driver Licensing, where certain new drivers will face a 45mph restriction for 12 months post-test, while others, under the new rules, can drive at the posted speed limit immediately after passing.

Those who have passed their test under the GDL system will have been subjected to a longer and more robust learning period, the 6-month mandatory minimum learning period with the logbook app, and they will have learnt to drive at speeds above 45mph.

Whereas those who have passed their test before the introduction of the GDL system, will not have learnt to drive above 45mph and will not have went through the longer, more robust, learning process. The 45mph limit has been considered appropriate for ‘R’ drivers in these conditions for decades.

The GDL system will introduce a new, separate, ‘R’ plate for those who pass their test under the GDL system and can drive above 45mph, meaning it will be clear to other drivers who is restricted to 45mph and who is not.

The introduction of GDL entails the change from the current testing system and post-test requirements to those required under GDL. Such a transition necessitates the drawing of a line beyond which the previous arrangements no longer apply, and this has been carefully assessed. It is considered appropriate to provide these transitional arrangements to allow for adjustment to the new GDL scheme.

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”), was agreed by the Assembly, and sets out the transitional arrangements that apply to learner drivers whose provisional licence entitlement to drive a category B vehicle commenced before the introduction of GDL. The 2016 Act specifies a six-month transitional period and the arrangements that will apply to such learners. In practice, this transitional period will cover from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.

I consider that this approach represents the most practical and equitable means of implementing GDL while ensuring continuity and certainty for learners who have already commenced training.