asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which he decided that the holding of driving tests for applicants for class E driving licences at Dungarvan, County Waterford test centre should be discontinued; what were the considerations that influenced him to take such decision; and why the fact that this decision has been taken is not shown in booklet D.10, The Learner Driver, issued by his Department to applicants for Class E licences who are ordinarily resident in this area of County Waterford and who could be considered likely to opt for the centre which is shown as being available for the carrying out of these tests at (7), Appendix II, page 18 of this official publication.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Tests in Waterford Centre.
24.
The holding of class E driving tests in Dungarvan was discontinued early in 1965 during the first year of operation of the driving test scheme. Experience had shown that the conduct of such tests should be confined to the centres of highest population where a reasonable road network exists and where varied traffic conditions are experienced. The majority of test centres, therefore, are not used for class E tests.
The primary purpose of the informative leaflet, D.10, is to convey advice to persons taking up driving for the first time and in an endeavour to keep the leaflet within reasonable limits, information which does not affect the vast majority of applicants is kept to a minimum. Applicants for class E tests, who are a small fraction of the total number taking tests and few of whom are taking up driving for the first time, are advised, immediately on receipt of the application, of the position and informed of the class E centres nearest to them.
Would the Minister state why Statutory Instrument No. 113 of 1967, and Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 1967, were included in this booklet as amended in November, 1967, and why was not Dungarvan amended as a test centre if it was discontinued as such over two years ago?
As I told the Deputy, the endeavour was to keep the leaflet within reasonable limits. It was felt that this information would affect a very small proportion only of the applicants for driving tests and, therefore, that it was not necessary to put this in the leaflet. However, I will have the matter looked into.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government why a driver tester of his Department was instructed by the driver and vehicle testing section not to carry out tests for class E driving licences for four applicants from County Waterford at Waterford city testing centre on 23rd November, 1967, on the grounds that the vehicle produced by these men was not representative of its class although the bus complied in all respects with the requirements set out in his Department's publication D.10, The Learner Driver, as issued to each of these applicants at the time of the making of their applications and though it also complied in all respects with the notes appended to the driving test appointment card received by each of these applicants from his Department.
The informative leaflet D.10 and the appointment cards which were issued to the persons concerned make it clear that the vehicle to be provided at tests must be representative of the class of test involved. The vehicle provided for the tests referred to in the question did not comply with this requirement since it was fitted with a pre-selector gear box. The description in the leaflet of the types of vehicle which are accepted as representative is intended primarily for the guidance of persons taking up driving for the first time and is not intended to be complete and exhaustive. However, in order to obviate possibility of doubt in the future, steps will be taken to advise applicants for class E tests of the position.
26.
asked the Minister for Local Government the procedure which is adopted by him in making amendments to the regulations governing the holding of tests for driving licences as set out in his Department's publication D.10, The Learner Driver, and, where, or how, the fact of the making of such amendments is officially publicised or otherwise brought to the notice of those concerned.
It is presumed that the Deputy's question relates not to statutory regulations made under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, which are published in the prescribed manner, but rather to the explanatory leaflet, The Learner Driver, which describes for the information of applicants for tests the procedure to be followed.
This leaflet was designed for the guidance of the vast majority of applicants and could not, without becoming unwieldy and complicated, cover all cases arising or likely to arise in changing circumstances. Individual cases involving exceptional circumstances which occur from time to time are dealt with as they occur. Where such cases become sufficiently numerous or where the statutory regulations are amended, an appropriate addition to the leaflet is made.