A MAJOR warning has been issued to Irish drivers over a proposed rule that could see them lose their license.
The Department of Transport has seen suggested legislation that would allow learner drivers no more than four consecutive permits.
It’s been claimed there are ‘loopholes’ in the system[/caption]
As it is, a learner driver who passes their theory test can hold an unlimited amount of learner permits.
Although not a full license, a learner permit allows a holder to drive on most roads as long as there’s a full license holder in the car with them.
The permit is held until a driving test can be booked, sat, and passed, at which time a full license is granted.
It’s estimated that there are some 30,000 people in Ireland driving for years on learner’s permit, which can be renewed while waiting to sit a test.
The proposed legislation would see that after six years, those on a learner permit be allowed no more than four permits consecutively.
If they go above this limit, the permit holder must resit their driver theory test, complete 12 mandatory lessons, and sit a driving test.
The new rule was proposed in a briefing to Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien.
The suggestion came from civil servants and has to become proposed legislation.
Geraldine Herbert, motor editor at the Sunday Independent, told Newstalk that a system where people can apply for learner’s permits indefinitely should not be allowed.
She claimed that the proposed new system would encourage people to actually sit their test.
Herbert said: “It’s estimated there’s about 30,000 people on learner permits for years without ever taking a test, so this obviously raises concerns.
“As it stands, after two learner permits to get a third you either have to have booked, sat or failed a test, but the book is the issue.”
And she explained that currently, a person can run out their learner’s permit, order a new one under the guise of waiting for a test, and then cancel their test.
Herbert explained: “The system shouldn’t be allowed to be gamed – those loopholes need to be closed.”