Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 6

Written Answers. - Driving Licence Regulations.

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

30 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants for category A provisional licence, who are under 25 years of age and have not held a full driving licence in respect of category A1 for at least two years, are being granted licences for the use of motor cycles over 125cc by the Northern Ireland authorities when application is made from an address in that State; and if he will relax the regulations regarding the issue of A1 licences to achieve harmonisation with the United Kingdom regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3380/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The regulations governing the licensing of drivers provide that access to a provisional licence for category A licences (motorcycles) is restricted to those who have either held a licence under sub-category A1 (motorcycles under 125 cc) for at least two years in the previous ten years, or those over 25 years of age.

The EU Second Directive on the Driving Licence provides that it is a matter for each member state to decide whether or not to introduce sub-categories such as that applying here to motorcycles under 125 cc. I am at present reviewing the driver licensing regulations in the context of applying those provisions of the Second Directive which are not yet in force. However, it is my intention to retain sub-category A1 as I am concerned that providing access to large powerful motorcycles for people lacking experience raises fundamental questions of road safety.

I appreciate that the criteria for access to category A licences are now more restrictive in this country than in the United Kingdom. It is possible, however, that the entry into force of the Second Directive will encourage the harmonisation of such criteria.