INISHOWEN drivers on
their second provisional licence have been given a
reprieve today.
A new regulation requiring they be accompanied by a
qualified driver was due to take effect this
morning, but will not now come into effect until
June 2008.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey deferred the date
following a national outcry last week.
He said the longer lead-in time would enable
provisional drivers who need their cars to commute
to work to make other arrangements.
Sinn Féin road safety spokesperson, Donegal Senator
Pearse Doherty, was among those who had criticised
the earlier "harsh" timeframe. He said it was
entirely unfeasible given the waiting times for
driving tests and the lack of public transport in
Donegal especially places like Inishowen where it
would "have a detrimental effect on provisional
licence drivers who depend on their cars to get to
work or even to bring their kids to school".
“Until such a time that waiting times for tests are
at a reasonable level, these new regulations should
not apply to anybody who has applied for a test," he
said.
Meanwhile, from today all new applicants for driving
licences in Donegal will be issued with a 'Learner
Permit'.
The new applicant's learner permit will stipulate
that:
*The holder must be accompanied by a driver who has
had a full licence for at least two years.
*The holder must have the permit for a minimum of
six months of supervised practice before applying
for a test.
And from June 30, 2008, ALL provisional licence
holders must be accompanied by a fully licenced
driver of at least two years' experience. |
