Vol. 536 No. 2
417 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if motorcycle gardaí are required to hold current driving licences appropriate for this class of machine; if not, the road traffic regulation under which they are exempt; and the reason this group should be exempt from the usual procedures in view of the strict controls on the issuing of licences for motorcycles to the general public. [14111/01]
Section 38(6) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, exempts a member of An Garda Síochána from the requirement to hold a driving licence to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in the course of his or her duty. I am informed by the Garda authorities that before members of the Garda Síochána are authorised to drive official Garda motorcycles in operational duties they are required to undergo a four week intensive driver training course known as the standard motorcycle course. This course includes both theoretical – classroom – and practical – on road – instruction. Trainee drivers are required to undergo a written examination and they are subject to a continual assessment culminating in a final driving assessment when a decision is made regarding their competency to drive official motorcycles.
