Loophole that let learner drivers avoid ever sitting a test is shut down - but new rules won't come into effect for a year

"Seán Canney, the Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, today signed regulations that mean learner drivers who have held a category A, A1, A2, AM, B or W permit for four years will have to sit a full driving test before being allowed to renew their permit. The loophole in the law was repeatedly highlighted by road safety activists and meant that learners could renew their permits repeatedly if they can show they have booked or scheduled a driving test."

"The new rules also force provisional drivers who have held a learner permit for seven years to start the entire process again - sitting the driver theory test, applying for a learner permit, taking 12 mandatory lessons, and sitting a practical test. A statement from Mr Canney noted that nearly one in five holders of category B learner permits hadrenewed their licences three or more times. with nearly 60pc of this group, around 38,000 people, yet to sit a test."

Regulations require learner drivers who have held a category A, A1, A2, AM, B or W permit for four years to sit a full driving test before permit renewal. The previous loophole allowed repeated renewals if a test had merely been booked or scheduled. Provisional drivers holding a learner permit for seven years must restart the entire process, including the theory test, applying for a learner permit, 12 mandatory lessons, and a practical test. Nearly one in five category B learner permit holders renewed three or more times, with about 60% (around 38,000 people) yet to sit a test. The measures form part of targets to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 and pursue Vision Zero by 2050.

Read at Irish Independent