Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the proposed changes to driving learner permits (details supplied; if there is evidence that points to the benefit of treating learner drivers who have not passed their test after 7 years as beginners; if the potential cost-implications of this for those on low incomes has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50562/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Department is committed, under Action 7B of the Road Safety Strategy Phase 2 Action Plan, to addressing the matter of learner drivers with multiple successive learner permits.

A learner permit is not a driving licence. It gives permission to learn to drive on public roads while accompanied by a qualified driver. The purpose of the learner process is to acquire the level of knowledge, skill, and competency that an individual must demonstrate to become a fully licensed driver in Ireland.

There are a number of people driving unaccompanied on our roads, on their 4th, 5th, 6th or subsequent learner permits, who have not passed or, in some cases, taken a driving test. Until an individual can meet the standard required to pass a driving test and become a qualified driver, they are not safe to take to our roads unaccompanied. Accordingly, it is illegal for learner drivers to drive unaccompanied on a public road.

The aim of this initiative is to encourage learner drivers to complete the learning process and become fully qualified drivers within a reasonable period, rather than renewing learner permits without ever taking a driving test.