Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 7

Written Answers - Driving Licences.

Noel Ahern

Question:

135 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the situation of drivers over 70 years of age applying for repeat driving licences; the entitlements of a 69 year old to apply for a repeat driver's licence; the type of licence which can be issued with or without a medical test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12283/97]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

A person of 70 years of age or more is required to submit a medical report with an application to renew a driving licence and is restricted to either a one year or three year licence, depending on the period of fitness certified in the report. This arrangement is considered to be necessary and reasonable in the interests of the driver's own safety and that of other road users. A person of 69 years of age may apply for a three year driving licence only.

An application for a licence must be accompanied by a medical report in the following circumstances: where the applicant is suffering from any of the diseases or disabilities specified in the Second or Third Schedules to the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1989 or has suffered in the past from epilepsy or alcoholism or is taking, on a regular basis, drugs or medicaments which would be likely to cause the driving of a vehicle in a public place to be a source of danger to the public; where the application for a licence does not contain a declaration that, to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief, none of the medical conditions listed in (i) above apply to the applicant; where the applicant is or will be 70 years of age on the commencement day of the licence being applied for and has not made a previous application, accompanied by a medical report, within six months of the commencement day, and where the application is for a provisional licence for category C1, C, D1, D, EC1, ED1, EC or ED, i.e. heavy vehicles and a medical report, still applicable, has not previously been submitted to the licensing authority.