New legislation will require learner drivers to sit their driving tests within the first four years.
It will prevent people from repeatedly renewing their learner permits without sitting a test.
Learners who have held a permit for seven years will have to begin the "learning to drive" process again, which means they'll have to re-do the theory test, obtain a new learner permit, take 12 essential driving lessons, and sit a practical test.
He said: “These regulations are an important development in advancing road safety and will fulfil one of the key actions of Phase 2 of the Road Safety Strategy Action Plan – to end the practice whereby learner drivers can roll over learner permits without the requirement to sit a test.
“A learner permit is not a driving licence.
"It permits people to drive on public roads when accompanied by a qualified driver, to gain the experience necessary to drive safely.
"Until a learner can meet the required standard and pass a driving test, they cannot be judged safe to drive unaccompanied on public roads.
"Completing the learning to drive process is crucial to ensure that drivers have the skills and confidence to drive on our roads.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility and ensuring that every driver is properly trained and qualified is a central commitment.”
“The purpose of these regulations is to encourage learners to become fully qualified drivers.
"It is vital that learner drivers complete the learning process, and are discouraged from holding learner permits without ever taking a driving test.
“This is one of a range of actions conducted under the Road Safety Strategy with the aim of reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, working toward the ultimate goal of Vision Zero (no road deaths or serious injuries) by 2050.”
