John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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539. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, when drivers renew their licences, he will ensure that the classes they previously qualified for are automatically added to their new licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36104/16]

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the drivers licence recently renewed by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36106/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.

Applicants renewing their driving licences are required to indicate which licence categories they wish to renew. This allows applicants the freedom to choose to renew for particular categories and not for others, should they so wish. It is a very minor burden on applicants. Asking the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) to make this decision for people would add to the process burden in the NDLS for every licence, while curtailing individual freedom. I therefore do not intend to change the regulations in this regard.

I have no power to intervene in individual cases such as that raised by the Deputy. As a general point, a driving licence category which has not been renewed may be reclaimed for up to ten years after it has lapsed. Unfortunately, if it has not been renewed within that period, and the person wishes to regain the category, they must apply as a learner in that category.