asked the Minister for Local Government why a person (name supplied), who passed his driving test in a 2¼-ton lorry, is not now allowed to drive the same lorry until he is tested in one weighing at least 3¼ tons unladen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lorry Driving Test.
21.
I am not aware that the position is as stated in the Deputy's question.
The applicant in this case originally applied for a certificate of competency in respect of vehicles of classes C and D. Generally, these classes comprise the following:—
Class C: Vehicles not exceeding 2 tons in weight unladen and having passenger accommodation for not more than 8 persons.
Class D: Vehicles exceeding 2 tons in weight unladen and vehicles having passenger accommodation for more than 8 persons.
The applicant subsequently notified my Department that he "will not be driving anything more than 2 tons as a two ton lorry is the one I will be driving". A test was arranged and carried out on this basis and the applicant was issued with a certificate of competency for Class C. The tester who carried out the test was satisfied that the vehicle provided was one of Class C.
Could the Minister confirm or otherwise that this man was tested in a 2¼ ton lorry?
The tester is satisfied that he was tested in a Class C vehicle which is a vehicle not exceeding 2 tons in weight unladen.
Which means he was tested in a lorry lighter than two tons?
Unladen, yes. The tester is satisfied that he was tested on a Class C vehicle.
I am assured by the driver that he was tested in the lorry he drives which is a 2¼ ton lorry.
According to the tester, he was tested on a Class C vehicle and he has been given a Class C certificate of competency.
A Class C vehicle is a vehicle not exceeding three tons?
It is a vehicle not exceeding two tons in weight, unladen.