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Learner Drivers

Multiple learner permits

New rules for learner permit holders.

From 1 November 2026, new rules will apply for learner permit holders. These changes are designed to help learners progress to a driving licence and to ensure everyone learning to drive is doing so safely and with up-to-date skills.

Why the rules are changing

The learner permit allows you to learn to drive legally on public roads while gaining experience with an approved instructor or a licensed driver. There are some important rules and restrictions e.g. a car driver must be accompanied by a qualified driver, and you can't drive on motorways. 

A learner permit is meant to help you learn. Not to be used for long-term driving without taking your test and getting your driving licence. The aim of these new rules is to help people move on from learner permits to driving licences. It’s about encouraging learners to complete their training sessions, pass their driving test, and get fully licensed with the right support and training along the way.

Who this affects

From 1 November 2026, these new measures will affect learner permit holders for:

  • cars (category B)
  • tractors or work vehicles (category W)
  • motorcycles and mopeds (category A, A1, A2 and AM)

If you are on your second, third or subsequent learner permit, this notice should give you time to prepare.

New Rules for Multiple Learner Permit Holders

These new rules focus on reducing the number of people holding multiple learner permits who don't attempt to sit a driving test. 

  • You won't be able to get more than four learner permits unless you were medically restricted. After your fourth permit, you will have to start the learning to drive process again. Permit holders will still have the life of their permit in which to take a driving test.

An overview of the new rules

From 1 November 2026:

  • You will no longer be able to get a third or fourth learner permit just by applying for a driving test. 
  • To be eligible for a further learner permit, you must have taken a driving test within the previous two years.
  • There will no longer be a fifth learner permit. After your fourth permit you will have to start the learning to drive process again. Permit holders will still have the life of their permit in which to take a driving test.
  • There will no longer be an exemption from taking a driving test for medical reasons when renewing a learner permit.
  • If your learner permit has expired for 2 years or more, you won’t be able to renew it and will need to start the learning to drive process again.
Services Get qualified

Get qualified guidance and advice from the RSA. Learn to drive. Choose your vehicle and licence category. Steps to becoming a safe qualified driver.

Application rules if you've held your permit a long time

  • If you're applying for your third learner permit (after 4 years on permits) you can only renew if you have undertaken a driving test in that category within the previous 2 years. This permit will be valid for 2 years, unless you are medically restricted. If you haven’t taken a driving test in the previous two years, you’ll need to start the learning to drive process again.
  • After 7 years or 4 permits you will not be able to renew again. To continue learning, you must start the learning to drive process again. 
  • If you're applying for your fourth learner permit (after 6 years on permits) you can only renew if you have undertaken a driving test in the previous 2 years. This fourth permit will only be valid for 1 year. If you haven’t taken a driving test in the previous two years, you’ll need to start the learning to drive process again.
New rules for renewing your learner permit

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to questions about what’s changing, when, and how it might affect you.

You don’t need to take immediate action, but it’s important to check now which of the new rules will apply to you.

Some learner drivers may need to take a driving test before 1 November 2026 to make sure they can renew their permit under the new system. 

Important! It's your responsibility to plan ahead and ensure that you sit a driving test within the timeframe allowed.

You don’t have to stop driving as long as you hold a valid learner permit. The new rules come into effect on 1 November 2026, so this gives you time to prepare.

Make sure you check the expiry date on your learner permit. If it's your second or subsequent permit and it's due to expire after 1 November 2026, then you will have to sit a driving test before you can apply for a third or subsequent permit. If you don't, and your permit expires, you will have to stop driving.

All going well, you will pass your driving test, and can apply for your full driving licence instead!

Yes. You can retake your driving test as many times as necessary to pass, as long as you have a valid learner permit. However, once you have held a learner permit for 7 years, you will have to re-start the learning to drive process, to get further learner permits. 

No. The new rules will not apply if you already hold a driving licence in that vehicle category. However if you were to later apply for a learner permit to drive a manual, then the rules would apply to that permit.

Yes. If you're restarting the learning to drive process you still have to wait six months and undergo Essential Driver Training (EDT) or Initial Basic Training (IBT), where applicable, before applying for a driving test. In this case, your new learner permit is treated the same as if it's a first learner permit.

If for some reason, your driving test is cancelled (e.g. due to severe weather) we will prioritise your new appointment. However, the new laws take effect from 1 November 2026, and the RSA is bound by this legislation so we don't have discretion to make exceptions.

Remember that most learner permits last for two years so it's important to schedule your driving test within this timeframe. Also, the new laws don't come into effect until 1 November 2026, so this should give you time to prepare.

Unfortunately, not. From 1 November 2026, the new law does not allow any exceptions. If you haven’t taken a driving test within the previous two years, you’ll need to restart the learning-to-drive process. 

Unfortunately, not. If a driving test was not conducted, it does not meet the requirement of having taken a test.

No. The RSA can't make exceptions to the new learner permit rules once they take effect on 1 November 2026. To renew your second, third or fourth learner permit, you must have taken a driving test within the previous two years, regardless of when you applied. 

Remember that most permits last two years so this should give you enough time to apply for and sit a driving test. In addition, the rules don't come into effect until 1 November 2026 so there is time to plan and prepare.

No. If you're on your first learner permit, you can apply for a second one without having to sit the driving test.

Yes. If you do not sit a driving test within the time allowed and your second or subsequent learner permit expires, you will have to restart the learning to drive process which includes:

  • Passing a theory test
  • Applying for a new learner permit (which is treated the same as a first-time learner permit),
  • Completing all 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) sessions, or Initial Basic Training, where applicable, and
  • Passing a driving test. 

Yes, you will have to complete all 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) sessions. You can't avail of reduced EDT a second time.

You need to log into your MyRoadSafety account and select 'Check Application Status'. From there, you can update your details and confirm that you’re ready to receive a driving test invitation.

The RSA and NDLS are here to support. We will provide updates on our website and remind you of these new learner permit laws between now and the 1 November 2026.

If you have other queries related to your learner permit, you can contact the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) by completing their webform or alternatively calling 0818 700800.