New Rules for Learner Drivers – Compulsory Driving
Lessons
Driving lessons will now be mandatory
for learner drivers, the government have announced today. The RSA
has today given an update on the measures outlined in the Road
Safety Strategy 2007-2012 to enhance the way in which drivers are
trained, tested and licensed in Ireland. The first phase of the
modernisation project has been completed and today an additional
nine actions have been announced. Most notably there will
requirement on first time learners to have compulsory lessons with
an approved driving instructor and learners will not be able to sit
their test until they can prove they have undergone this training.
Initial figures are 12 hours for car lessons and 16 hours for
motorbikes.
These new regulations are a welcome
introduction in light of the recent spate of tragedies on Irish
Roads. Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority said “the modern
driving environment is particularly demanding with increased volumes
of traffic, more complex road networks and faster vehicles. It is
essential that drivers are formally trained to drive safely for life
rather than training just to pass a test. I want to acknowledge the
maturity and responsibility which the vast majority of young and
inexperienced drivers demonstrate.
The nine new measures are:
•
All new first time learner permit holders with effect from 6th
December 2010 for motorcycles and 4th April 2011 for cars will be
required to undertake mandatory initial basic training (IBT) with an
approved driving instructor (ADI). The course will be 16 hours for
motorcycle and 12 hours for car licences.
• The role of the supervising driver accompanying learner drivers
will be strengthened and we will introduce a requirement for learner
drivers to keep a learner log to be signed by their approved driving
instructor and their accompanying driver.
• The drink driving limits for drivers with learner permits and
those in their first two years on a full driving licence will be
reduced to 20mg/100ml. This legislation has been passed by the
Oireachtas and will come into effect in September 2011.
• The penalty points for specified offences will be increased for
learner and novice drivers so that accumulation of penalty points
during the learning phase and in the first two years on a full
licence will pose a real threat of disqualification and will impact
positively on risk taking and driver behaviour.
• A standard Hazard Perception Test will be developed and carried
out during the novice driver phase. The hazard perception test will
specifically address risk taking and perception of risk among novice
drivers.
• The current driving test will be modernised to more effectively
reflect driver competencies and to influence the learning undertaken
by learners. We will introduce a new externally accredited driving
test format in the last quarter of 2011.
• Novice drivers will be required to display an R (restricted) plate
during the first two years of their full driving licence to support
the restrictions that are placed on their licence for that duration.
• The current Driver Theory Test question bank and supporting
learning materials will be reconfigured to make it more effective as
a learning tool.
• We will engage with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the
Gardai and the Courts Service to develop the range and combination
of sentencing options available to the courts for driving offences
for learner and novice drivers.
