Vol. 494 No. 4
354 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when it is proposed to implement Directive 91/439 EEC; when it is proposed to introduce a separate written theoretical test on the rules of the road; if he will make a written test a pre-requisite for all driving test candidates rather than just first-time provisional licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18544/98]
Most of the requirements of Council Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences have already been transposed into Irish regulations. The outstanding requirements of the directive, including the introduction of a separate written theoretical test on the rules of the road, will be implemented next year. As indicated in the Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002, the new theoretical test, to be carried out by local authorities, will be a prerequisite for the granting of a first provisional licence. For existing provisional licence holders, an oral test of the rules of the road will be conducted, as at present, as part of the driving test.
