asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the fact that a provisional driving licence which is valid for only six months costs the same as a full licence which is valid for a year, he will amend the relevant regulation to remove this anomaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Licences.
35.
The provisional driving licence is associated with the system of compulsory driving tests for the holders of the licences and in fixing the period of validity of the provisional licence at half that of the normal licence account was taken of the cost of operating the driver testing service. Moreover, there is in the present fee structure a financial incentive to the learner-driver to gain proficiency in driving and so get a full licence. For these reasons, I do not regard the differential in the licence fees as anomalous and I do not propose to amend the regulations on the lines mentioned by the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 36, 37 and 38 postponed.