Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1983

Vol. 341 No. 6

Written Answers . - Driving Standards .

662.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange for the introduction of legal provisions to govern the compulsory participation by all applicants for a driving licence in theoretical and practical instruction which would be provided by professional private driving schools and thereby eliminate instruction by amateurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

665.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange for the co-ordination of attempts to promote the further instruction of motorists particularly those who have been reported to the authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

666.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange for the introduction of a test period for young beginners (driving licence on probation) and of measures governing the compulsory instruction for those who have been reported to the authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: I propose to take Questions Nos. 662, 665 and 666 together.

Present statutory requirements aim at upholding satisfactory driving standards in a number of ways. A certificate of competency must be obtained by all new drivers seeking a driving licence and is required in a number of other circumstances, including those in which the courts may order it either on application from the Garda or on conviction for certain offences. Such applications arise in exceptional circumstances.

The driving test, which must be passed before a certificate of competency can be obtained, is designed to ensure that a person has the basic knowledge and skills to drive safely. There is also the continuing obligation on all drivers to drive with due care, attention and consideration.

I consider this statutory framework to be adequate to the promotion of good driving and I do not propose to compel learner or other drivers to obtain instruction from private motoring schools.

663.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange for the harmonisation and improvement of the standards required to instruct and examine applicants for a driving licence and the standardisation of the legal requirements governing driving instructors and driving schools based on the maximum legal consensus amongst the individual member states of the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

664.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange for the issue of a compulsory scale of fees in order to promote the standards of performance by way of competition and thus improve the quality of instructions given by the professional private driving schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.

As far as standards for examining learner drivers are concerned, I am satisfied that the driver testing system operated by my Department is generally of an adequate and even standard. Only minimal changes to it will arise from implementation of EC Directive 80/1263 of 4 December 1980, dealing with the harmonisation of the laws of member states in relation to driver licensing.

I do not propose at present to introduce regulations to deal with the operations of driving schools. The EC directive referred to does not concern itself with this question.

Top
Share