Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
262. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the legal basis under which tram drivers operate on public roads; if tram drivers are required to hold a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence or any other form of licence recognised under State law when operating trams on public roads; if the "tram licence" issued by the operating company is recognised under Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71358/25]
View answerOn-street running of tram light railway must comply with the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997) as amended by S.I. No. 98 of 2003 and S.I. No. 404 of 2004 and the associated road traffic signs and tram signals that have been prescribed for the on-street running of trams. Drivers of trams must comply with the road speed limits that are applied under the Road Traffic Acts and with the speed limit regulations that are made under the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001. A tram driver is a safety critical worker for the purposes of the Railway Safety Act 2005 and must comply with the safety obligations that apply under that Act.
To apply to drive a tram on a public road a tram driver is required to hold a valid driver licence that is issued under the Road Traffic Act 1961 i.e. a personal driving licence. The training and qualification of persons to drive a tram vehicle on the light railway infrastructure is arranged by the employer (the railway organisation that provides passenger light rail services). The Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 provides that a person who is disqualified under the Road Traffic Acts for holding a driving licence is prohibited from driving a tram on a public road.
The Public Service Vehicle driver licensing system does not apply to tram drivers.
