Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will allow persons who have previously held an Irish driver licence or has a valid driver licence from another jurisdiction to be allowed drive unaccompanied on a provisional licence for the duration of Covid-19 if they are carrying out healthcare or caring duties either voluntarily or professionally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41369/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licenced driver.  Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision. 

In the case of people who hold a driving licence from another jurisdiction, we cannot be satisfied that the driver learning and testing regime is of a similar standard to that in Ireland, and for this reason they must go through the Irish learning and testing system.

Holders of Irish driving licences have up to 10 years after that licence expires to renew it.  If a driver has not driven in 10 years, they are no longer considered qualified, and must begin again as a learner. 

Studies have repeatedly shown that unaccompanied learner drivers are markedly more likely to be involved in fatal collisions.  For that reason, there can be no exceptions to the current laws in force around learner drivers.  Regrettably, there has been an increase in fatalities on our roads so far in 2020, despite huge reductions in traffic volumes, and we must not relax the standards required of our drivers before being awarded a driving licence.  In that context, the lives and safety of our healthcare workers are particularly important as continue to manage the challenges arising from the ongoing COVID emergency and I do not intend to put them at greater risk.

An unaccompanied learner driver who is stopped by an Garda Siochana may face penalty points, a fixed charge, seizure of the vehicle and possible prosecution.