asked the Minister for the Environment the present position concerning the issuing of driving licences for motorcycles to persons over 18 years of age; and if the new regulations (details supplied) will result in persons over 18 being issued with a licence for a motorcycle which exceeds 150 cc only if they have been tested on a vehicle under 150 cc and have driven on such vehicle for a minimum period of two years.
Written Answers. - Licences for Motorcycles.
148.
Under the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1989, which came into operation on 13 November a person may be licensed to drive a motorcycle with engine capacity up to 125 cc at 16 years of age or over. In order to be eligible to be licensed to drive a motorcycle with a greater engine capacity a person must have held a full licence for the lower powered motorcycle for at least two years.
Persons fully licensed to drive motorcycles of engine capacity exceeding 50 cc before 13 November 1989 are now entitled to drive motorcycles of unlimited engine capacity with the exception that any such person is not licensed to drive a motorcycle of engine capacity exceeding 150 cc until he or she is 18 years of age or over.