Driving Test Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 March 2014

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Questions (288)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

288. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the rules regarding driving tests for persons who drive scooters which means that they are compelled to drive a motorbike rather than a scooter during their driving test to secure a full licence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are major differences between scooters and motorbikes in design and operation, including in acceleration mechanisms and power and distance between wheel base and tyres which require differing methods of manoeuvring at different speeds; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this rule puts scooter drivers at an unfair disadvantage as they will be required to hire a motorbike for the driving test to hold a licence to drive a scooter; and his plans to rectify this as a matter of urgency so that no unnecessary barriers are placed in front of those who wish to hold a full licence. [12576/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The requirements for vehicles to be used in driving tests are set out at European rather than national level. The current requirements are to be found in Directive 2006/126/EC, as amended. The EU Directive allows Member States to make small deviations in the cylinder capacity of vehicles of categories A1, A2 and A to be used in the test, and we have done this in Ireland.  Apart from this, Member States may make the criteria for vehicles to be used in tests more stringent, but not less so, and may include additional restrictions. The specific matters to which the Deputy refers derive from the requirements of the EU Directive.  I have therefore no power to relax them.