Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1002. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The proposal to which the Deputy refers is in fact a policy change effected in legislation in 1989.

Prior to November 1989, there was a single licence category which covered driving a car and driving a car with a trailer. In that month, a change was made to provide for a separate category for driving a car with a trailer. Separate tests have been required since then.

People who held a full licence before the change in 1989 were entitled to claim both new categories when renewing their licences subsequently. Evidence subsequently suggested that many people did not realise this, and in consequence unintentionally surrendered their trailer entitlement. Consequently, and in response to appeals from farming organisations among others, my predecessor directed in 2013 that, on a once-off basis, people who held a full licence prior to the change in 1989 and had lost their trailer entitlement due to an omission in reapplying could reclaim that entitlement.

The period for such reclaim has long since closed. As indicated at the time, this was a once-off allowance.