Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
148. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that, ten years after the Garda inspectorate recommended that a system be introduced immediately to ensure that all penalty points are endorsed on driving licences, such a system is still not in place and it is still easy to register a vehicle in a false name and address in order to avoid enforcement on the roads (details supplied). [12890/24]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Inspectorate report noted that, on occasion, difficulties may arise in identifying the appropriate driver licence record on the National Vehicle and Driver File on which to endorse penalty points or apply disqualifications.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 amends section 5 of the Roads Act 1920 to address this issue, by ensuring that unique identifiers - a driver number where possible or a PPSN where necessary - will be captured when a person registers ownership of a vehicle. This will then be used to link vehicle ownership and driver licence records. The relevant section of the 2023 Act will be commenced once the necessary systems are in place.
