Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Jun 1994

Vol. 443 No. 5

Written Answers. - Driving Licence Regulations.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

65 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the regulations in relation to drivers licences where there is a minor break between drivers licences on which there is an endorsement as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; whether he or any other authority has the power to allow the effective period of endorsement to that which arose out of the court conviction; when this person can have the endorsement removed from his licence; and if he will ensure that the period will only be for the period for which the licence was not in effect.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

Section 37 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 requires that an endorsement on a driving licence must remain during a continuous period of not less than three years, or a series of discontinuous periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years during which a person has lawfully held a driving licence. This person held a provisional licence from 13 May 1991 to 12 May 1993, but did not surrender it for endorsement until 15 August 1991, and did not renew it until 13 July 1993. He acquired a full licence on 14 April 1994. Under current law, therefore, he would not be eligible for a licence clear of endorsement until July 1996. However, the Road Traffic Act, 1994 which was enacted on 20 April 1994 will change the law to provide for a period of three years endorsement in the case of either continuous or discontinuous periods during which a person has held a valid licence. The effect of this in the present case would be that this person would be entitled to a licence clear of endorsement in October 1994. I will commence the relevant provisions of the 1994 Act as soon as practicable.