Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce the necessary legislation to close a loophole discovered in 2013 which allows learner drivers to continually renew their learner permit without ever having to sit a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24802/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I would not agree that there is a loophole in the current driver licensing legislation. The current legislation allows a learner driver to renew their learner permit for a third time on condition that they can show evidence that they have either sat, or applied to sit, a driving test. An applicant who provides evidence of having sat a driving test will receive a two year permit renewal. An applicant who provides evidence that a driving test has been arranged will recieve a one year permit.

A person must be in possession of a valid learner permit in order to sit a test. In cases where a permit expires before a scheduled test could take place, a facility to renew the permit is required. This provision was particularly necessary when waiting times for driving tests were particularly long.

I am aware that there are a number of people driving on our roads on their 4th, 5th, 6th or subsequent learner permit. A learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning.

In October 2019, the Road Safety Authority sent proposals to my Department in relation to this issue. These proposals were examined and a submission was prepared for Ministerial approval. The measures set out in the submission took account of the shorter wait times for tests and the increased tester resources available at the end of 2019 as the opportune time to tackle the issue. Due to the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a review of the draft submission is now required. With the current backlog pending due to the halting of driving tests, it is prudent to delay any changes to regulations for long term permit holders in the short term, or until the driving test service is stabilised.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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71. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 10 February 2021, if he will provide additional details relating to the grounds on which he plans to provide for the power to revoke a driving licence; if he now plans to include a proposal to include the revocation of learner permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24804/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The intention is to differentiate between the revoking of a licence and the disqualification of a person from holding a driving licence. A person can be disqualified from holding a licence for a period of time as a result of an offence committed while driving. A licence would be revoked where the eligibility criteria for holding a driving licence is no longer met, such as when the holder of the licence does not have, or no longer has, a right to reside in the State.

Officials in my Department are working with the Attorney General and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation which I intend to bring forward as committee stage amendments in the Road Traffic Bill. The revocation of a learner permit is also being considered.