Vol. 480 No. 2
222 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, there are to introduce written tests for driving tests; if so, when this will occur; and the way in which applicants with reading problems will be treated. [13478/97]
Draft regulations to provide for the application of the Second Directive on driving licences, including the introduction of a theoretical test, are at present the subject of consultation with the EU Commission. The proposed theoretical test will be introduced as a condition for the grant of first time provisional licences in respect of each of the main categories of driving licences. It will be based on a bank of questions, which I will publish, and it will be administered by local authorities. The questions have been developed in consultation with the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties and the National Adult Literacy Agency. In administering the new test, local authorities will respond to any special needs of applicants.
Subject to the completion of the consultation process with the EU Commission, I propose to introduce the new test by the end of this year.
