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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Written Answers. - Driving Licences.

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

335 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the resentment felt by Irish emigrants who, having returned from the United States to live permanently in the Republic and who had a full Irish driving licence at the time of emigration and are holders of a full United States driving licence currently, will only be given a provisional licence after an optical test when applying for a new Irish driving licence; and if he has any proposals to change the regulations in the interests of such persons.

Article 29 (6) of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1989 empowers me to declare any state to be a recognised state for the purpose of enabling driving licences issued by the competent authority for such state to be exchanged for an Irish driving licence. Holders of such licences would not be required to undergo a driving test in this country. I am at present examining the position with regard to a number of countries with a view to declaring them to be recognised states for this purpose.

Holders of driving licences issued by the competent authorities of member states of the EC already have the entitlement to exchange their licences for Irish licences.

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