Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004
252 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to publish a circular for driver testers which would no longer require them to check for a valid tax disc before taking a driving test; if so, the reason such a basic fulfilment of the rules of the road should not be required of driving test applicants; his policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27786/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which is responsible for motor taxation, my Department recently issued a circular letter to driver testers instructing them not to check motor tax discs on vehicles presented for test with effect from 6 December 2004. In future, non-compliance with motor tax law will not be considered to be a valid reason for refusing to take a driving test candidate out on test. Under the Road Traffic Acts, the role of a driver tester is to assess the driving competency of candidates presenting for a driving test. A driver tester has no enforcement function in relation to the validity of motor tax discs. This is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
253 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans in relation to the oral part of the driving test; if he intends to abolish it to free up time for the new technical part of the test; and if so, the details of the research he has based this decision upon. [27787/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no proposals at present to abolish the oral part of the driving test which is required under section 33(3)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
