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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Driver licence renewal delays

Summary

Deputy Moynihan sought implementation of agreed changes removing medical reports for some 70- to 75-year-old drivers, noting repeated delays and mounting inconvenience. The Tánaiste said he had no update but would have the responsible Minister of State contact the Deputy and agreed the matter should already be resolved.

I need to raise again the issue of driver licence renewal for those aged 70 to 75. Legislation has been agreed on the withdrawal of the requirement for a medical report for those aged 70 to 75 but it has not yet been implemented. This was expected to happen at the start of last December, but it did not happen. It was then expected to happen at the start of this month, but it still has not happened. In the meantime, people's licences are up for renewal and they are faced with having to obtain medical certification again. Currently, 70- to 75-year-olds who are fit and healthy have to go to busy GP surgeries to get certification that they are fit and healthy. This was a bigger issue throughout the pandemic and during the winter. There is no need for it. The legislation needs to be implemented such that this requirement is done away with. Will the removal of that certification be prioritised such that people are given an opportunity to renew their licences?

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I am afraid I do not have an update on that to hand. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who is in charge of that area to contact the Deputy directly to explain the delay. I agree with the Deputy that we should have it resolved by now.

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