Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
247. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if primary legislation is required to introduce a requirement on learners applying for a renewal of a learner permit after seven years of holding a permit, to begin the learning to drive process from the start; the timeframe to introduce such a provision in law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52836/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Department is committed, under Action 7B of the Road Safety Strategy Phase 2 Action Plan, to addressing the matter of learner drivers with multiple successive learner permits. It is intended to require learner permit holders to complete a driver test prior to renewal after holding a permit for 4 years.
It is also intended that any application for renewal after 7 years of holding a learner permit will be treated as a first learner permit application, requiring the learner to begin the learning to drive process from the start (theory test, learner permit, 12 Essential Driver Training lessons, practical test).
The Department is working on secondary legislation to provide for the changes and the RSA is in the process of finalising an implementation plan.
