Measures pertaining to Provisional Driver Licence Holders

The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D. today (28^th October 2007) announced that he is modifying the lead-in time for holders of existing second provisional driver licences to enable them to complete their test by 30th June 2008[1].

From Tuesday next (30^th October 2007) all new applicants for driving licences will be issued with a learner permit. The rules applying to a new applicants learner permit will stipulate that:

• The holder must be accompanied by a driver who has had a full licence for at least two years;

• The holder must have the permit for a minimum of 6 months of supervised practice before applying for a test.

From 30^th June 2008 all provisional licence holders must be accompanied by a fully licenced driver of at least two years experience.  

This move is made in response to two clear messages from the public, the Minister said today.  Firstly, there is strong support for the proposed reforms to improve road safety. Secondly, there is a strong desire for a reasonable lead-in time to enable people to prepare for and take their test or to make alternative arrangements.  For these reasons I have decided to defer implementation of the requirement for second provisional licence holders to be accompanied until 30^th  June 2008.

I now encourage all provisional licence holders, who have not already done so to prepare and apply for a driving test. The Government has already committed itself to providing the necessary finance to the Road Safety Authority to ensure that all 122, 000 applicants currently on the waiting list will have been tested by early March 2008. This will have eliminated the current backlog as promised.  By the end of June 2008 all applicants for a driving test will be able to get a test on demand (within 10 weeks).

ENDS

Note for News Editors

The Road Safety Authority will today issue a press release detailing the new provisions pertaining to learner drivers.