Vol. 541 No. 4
343 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason a driving licence has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this applicant was not notified that he would have to do a theory test after the driving test; if he will now direct that the licence should be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23115/01]
It is a matter for the appropriate licensing authority, in this case Galway County Council, acting under the relevant regulations, to determine the eligibility of a person for a driving licence and to issue licences. As regards the general question of the obligation to undergo the driver theory test, my Department announced the arrangements involved in April 2001 in prospect of the commencement of the driver theory testing service on 11 June 2001. The announcement made it clear that the obligation to do the theory test would apply to anyone applying for a first provisional licence on or after 25 April 2001. For a transitional period, it was left open to new provisional licence holders to proceed if they wished, to take the practical driving test in advance of the driver theory test. It was however stipulated that a full driving licence would be granted to such persons only upon the passing of both tests. Since 11 June 2001, first time applicants for a provisional licence must have earlier successfully completed the theory test.
