Vol. 537 No. 5
386 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will amend the public service vehicle regulations to allow families who have ten children or more to apply for a licence to drive a mini-van with 12 seats or more, notwithstanding the public service vehicle regulations. [16628/01]
EU requirements on driver licensing limit the scope of a licence for cars and light vans to the driving of vehicles – other than motorcycles, mopeds, work vehicles or land tractors – with a design gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg and having passenger accommodation for not more than eight persons.
These requirements are reflected in Irish driver licensing regulations which provide for a category B licence in relation to the latter vehicles and for a separate driver licence and testing regime – category D1 – in relation to vehicles with passenger accommodation for more than eight and not more than 16, persons.
Persons wishing to drive minibuses should therefore apply for a category D1 licence. A further public service vehicle licence is only required for persons driving these or other vehicles for hire or reward.
