Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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616. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider relaxing the regime with regard to L-plate drivers, to allow them to travel unaccompanied, within a 20 km radius of their residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7678/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the licensing system is to promote safety through ensuring that people licenced to drive on our roads are qualified to do so.  Learners, by definition, are not yet qualified.  The presence of an accompanying driver is therefore essential.  

Learner permits are not driving licences.  They are permits allowing the holder to drive unlicensed on public roads while they are learning, and subject to certain conditions.  The presence of an accompanying driver is perhaps the most important of these conditions.  In fact, when a learner permit holder drives without an accompanying driver, they are not complying with the conditions of the learner permit and therefore not covered by it. I appreciate that many people, particularly in rural areas, feel that this is harsh.  However, it is important for people to understand that a learner permit is not meant to be a substitute for an actual licence, and holders should not expect to be able to drive freely in the same manner as licence holders.