asked the Minister for Local Government whether British driving licences are recognised in this country as qualifying drivers to drive the various classes of private and passenger transport vehicles nominated in the licences concerned; and, if not, if he will ensure that in future such licences are recognised, in view of the fact that British licence holders have had to qualify by driving tests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Driving Licences.
10.
In accordance with international usage, the recognition here of foreign domestic driving licences applies only in the case of visitors to this country and does not extend to persons ordinarily resident here.
It is not proposed to make any change at this stage whereby a driving licence granted to a person in another country would, in the event of his taking up residence here, exempt him from complying with the provisions applicable to the grant and holding of driving licences. Any such change could only be contemplated in the light of international agreement for the reciprocal recognition of national driving licences.
In view of the fact that many holders of driving licences have returned home, have not passed the driving test here and are now forced to supply the vehicle on testing, would the Minister consider accepting the British driving test particularly in regard to heavy vehicles? These drivers have to supply their vehicles and one cannot at a moment's notice produce a ten-ton or a 15-ton lorry in order to pass a driving test.
As I said in the reply, I do not intend to make any change. In regard to people returning from England who hold British driving licences subsequent to having passed the test there, I should say that Britain does not accept licences held by people leaving this country to take up residence in Britain without doing the British test when they get there.