Vol. 561 No. 4
398 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the arrangements in place to facilitate non-English speaking applicants for the driver theory test; if, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, arrangements can be made to overcome the language difficulty; if this person's international driving licence can be exchanged for a full Irish licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4627/03]
Temporary visitors to Ireland who hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit may drive here for the duration of their visit up to a maximum period of 12 months. Persons who hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit, issued as in this instance by the State of Algeria, must on taking up Irish residence, begin the process of obtaining an Irish driving licence by passing the driver theory test and then securing a provisional driving licence.
The driver theory test is at present available in the Irish and English languages. The driver theory testing service is in the process of providing a facility for persons who may not be competent in these languages. The person concerned may wish to keep in contact with the driver theory testing service in this regard. The service may be contacted at LoCall number 1890 606106. Correspondence may be addressed to the customer service manager at PO Box 144, Drogheda, County Louth.
