Written answers

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Traffic Offences

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of learner drivers disqualified in court each year from 2020 to 2024 who failed to comply with the requirement to surrender their learner permit to the Road Safety Authority and were summoned to court for failing to comply; the number convicted and the penalties imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13540/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The table below details the number of court disqualifications notified to my Department in each of the years 2020-2024 and the number of those licences that were not surrendered, both for learner permit licence holders.

A notification of disqualification is issued by the Courts Service for drivers convicted of a court disqualification, the notification includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the Road Safety Authority within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.

It is important to note that, while the non-surrender of licences is of concern, the more important issue from a road safety perspective is that the disqualification from driving is observed. The individuals in question are fully aware of the Court's decision and the disqualification from driving is in effect regardless of whether their licence is surrendered.

My Department shares information on non-surrender of licences with An Garda Síochána but does not maintain records on additional convictions and penalties for drivers who have failed to surrender their licences. This is the responsibility of the Department of Justice.

- Learner Permit Disqualifications and Licences Not Surrendered 2020-2024
Disqualifications Licences Not Surrendered
2020 1,712 1,646
2021 2,040 1,997
2022 1,802 1,739
2023 2,006 1,928
2024 1,756 1,681

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