Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Transport the driving licence requirements for the driving of coaches here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10408/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 1999 to 2004 require that the driver of a vehicle with passenger accommodation for more than eight persons must hold a category D driving licence. If such a vehicle has passenger accommodation for not more than 16 persons a category D1 driving licence will suffice.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Transport the procedure for ensuring that the licensing requirements of drivers of all categories of vehicles, who have acquired their licences outside of Ireland, are equivalent to Irish requirements; the way in which this is enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10409/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 1999 to 2004 provide, in accordance with EU directives on driving licences, that a person who holds a driving licence issued by the competent authority of a member state of the European Union or of the European Economic Area may drive any vehicle of the category in respect of which the licence has been granted for the period for which the licence has effect or alternatively on taking up residence in Ireland may exchange that driving licence for an Irish licence.

Non-EU citizens who are temporary visitors to Ireland and who hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit may drive here any vehicle of the category in respect of which the licence or permit has been granted for the duration of their visit. In this regard temporary may be regarded as a period not exceeding 12 months. An "international driving permit" means a valid and properly completed international driving permit issued to a visitor under the convention of 1949 by the competent authority of the state in which he or she resides, or by an association duly empowered by such an authority to issue such a permit.

Australia, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, South Africa, South Korea and Switzerland are recognised states for the purpose of driving licence exchange under the terms of Article 30(7) of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 1999. Under these regulations, persons holding a valid driving licence from a recognised state may exchange their licence for an Irish driving licence when they take up residence here, without the need for a driving test. The testing and licensing regimes in these countries are considered to be equivalent in standard to our system. Other non-EU citizens taking up Irish residence must undergo the driver theory test, obtain a provisional licence and pass the driving test in order to obtain a driving licence.