Vol. 562 No. 6
132 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the situation concerning provisional driving licence holders and the requirement that they be accompanied by a full licence holder, if regulations have been made enforcing these requirements, the date of these regulations and when these new requirements will be introduced. [6821/03]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 80 on 5 February 2003 which refers to reform of the provisional licence system.
The original requirement regarding accompaniment was contained in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 1964 which came into operation on 18 March 1964. Consolidated regulations, which were introduced with effect from 15 November 1999, did not amend the provisions on accompaniment then applying, and provided that car drivers – category B – with a provisional licence must be accompanied by and under the supervision of a person with a current full driving licence to drive a car, except where the driver holds a current second provisional licence to drive a car. Motorcycle riders – category A – and work vehicle drivers – category W – with a provisional licence do not have to be accompanied.
All other drivers with a provisional licence must be accompanied by and under the supervision of a person with a current full driving licence for the relevant vehicle category.
133 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for a driving test because this person needs a full licence for work purposes. [6848/03]
A driving test will be arranged as soon as possible for the person concerned.
