Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 6th December, 2013.

I, LEO VARADKAR, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 5(1) and 42 (inserted by section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 2006 (No. 23 of 2006)) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961) and section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 2006 (No. 23 of 2006) and the National Roads and Road Traffic (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002 ( S.I. No. 298 of 2002 ) (as adapted by the Transport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2011 ( S.I. No. 141 of 2011 )), for the purpose of giving further effect to Directive No. 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 20 December 2006¹ , as amended by Council Directive 2012/36/EU of 19 November 2012² , hereby make the following regulations:

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations 2013.

(2) These Regulations come into operation on 30 November 2013.

2. In these Regulations-

"No. 3 Regulations of 2013" means the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2013 ( S.I. No. 420 of 2013 ).

"Regulations of 2008" means the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 ( S.I. No. 471 of 2008 ).

3. The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 537 of 2006 ) are amended-

(a) by substituting for Schedule 4 (as substituted by Regulation 2(f) of Regulations of 2008) the Schedule set out in Schedule 1, and

(b) by substituting for Schedule 5 (as substituted by Regulation 3(p) of the No. 3 Regulations of 2013) the Schedule set out in Schedule 2.

SCHEDULE 1

"SCHEDULE 4

Regulation 26

Driving operations to be carried out during the practical driving test

(1) Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories A and A1-

(a) Preparation and technical check of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety. Applicants must demonstrate that they are capable of preparing to ride safely by satisfying the following requirements-

(i) Adjusting the protective outfit, such as gloves, boots, clothes and safety helmet,

(ii) Performing a random check on the condition of the tyres, brakes, steering, emergency stop switch (if applicable), chain, oil levels, lights, reflectors, direction indicators and audible warning device,

(iii) Putting the motorcycle on and off its stand and moving it, without the aid of the engine, by walking alongside the vehicle,

(iv) Parking the motorcycle.

(b) Behaviour in traffic. Applicants must perform all the following actions in normal traffic situations, in complete safety and taking all necessary precautions-

(i) Riding away: after parking, after a stop in traffic, exiting a driveway,

(ii) Riding on straight roads, passing oncoming vehicles, including in confined spaces,

(iii) Riding round bends,

(iv) Approaching and crossing of intersections and junctions,

(v) Changing direction, left and right turns, changing lanes,

(vi) Approach/exit of motorways or similar (if available), joining from the acceleration lane, leaving on the deceleration lane,

(vii) Overtaking/passing, overtaking other traffic (if possible), riding alongside obstacles, e.g. parked cars, being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate),

(viii) Riding at the following (if available): roundabouts, railway level crossings, tram/bus stops, pedestrian crossings, riding up/downhill on long slopes, tunnels,

(ix) Taking the necessary precautions when getting off the vehicle.

(x) Driving in such a way as to ensure safety and to reduce fuel consumption and emissions during acceleration, deceleration, uphill and downhill driving, when necessary by selecting gears manually.

(c) Applicants must perform the following special manoeuvres with a bearing on road safety-

(i) At least two manoeuvres to be executed at slow speed, including a slalom,

(ii) At least two manoeuvres to be executed at higher speed, of which one manoeuvre in second or third gear, at least 30 km/h and one manoeuvre avoiding an obstacle at a minimum speed of 50 km/h,

(iii) Braking: at least two braking exercises, including an emergency brake at a minimum speed of 50 km/h.

(2) Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories B, and BE.

(a) Preparation and technical check of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety. Applicants must demonstrate that they are capable of preparing to drive safely by satisfying the following requirements-

(i) Adjusting the seat as necessary to obtain a correct seated position,

(ii) Adjusting rear-view mirrors, seat belts and head restraints if available,

(iii) Checking that the doors are closed,

(iv) Performing a random check on the condition of the tyres, steering, brakes, fluids (e.g. engine oil, coolant, washer fluid), lights, reflectors, direction indicators and audible warning device,

(v) Checking the safety factors relating to vehicle loading: body, sheets, cargo doors, cabin locking, way of loading, securing load (category BE only),

(vi) Checking the coupling mechanism and the brake and electrical connections (category BE only),

(b) Special manoeuvres with a bearing on road safety. A selection of the following manoeuvres shall be tested (including one in reverse gear)-

(i) Reversing in a straight line or reversing right or left round a corner while keeping within the correct traffic lane,

(ii) Turning the vehicle to face the opposite way, using forward and reverse gears,

(iii) Parking the vehicle and leaving a parking space (parallel, oblique or right-angle, forwards or in reverse, on the flat, uphill or downhill),

(iv) Braking accurately to a stop,

(v) Coupling and uncoupling, or uncoupling and re-coupling a trailer from its motor vehicle; the manoeuvre must involve the towing vehicle being parked alongside the trailer (i.e. not in one line) (category BE only),

(vi) Reversing along a curve, (category BE only),

(vii) Parking safely for loading/unloading (category BE only),

(c) Test candidates must perform all the following actions in normal traffic situations, in complete safety and taking all necessary precautions-

(i) Driving away: after parking, after a stop in traffic, exiting a driveway,

(ii) Driving on straight roads; passing oncoming vehicles, including in confined spaces,

(iii) Driving round bends,

(iv) Approaching and crossing of intersections and junctions,

(v) Changing direction: left and right turns, changing lanes,

(vi) Approach/exit of motorways or similar (if available): joining from the acceleration leaving on the deceleration lane,

(vii) Overtaking/passing: overtaking other traffic (if possible), driving alongside obstacles, e.g. parked cars, being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate),

(viii) Special road features (if available): roundabouts, railway level crossings, tram/bus stops, pedestrian crossings, driving up-/downhill on long slopes, tunnels,

(ix) Taking the necessary precautions when alighting from the vehicle.

(3) Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 and D1E.

(a) Preparation and technical check of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety. Applicants must demonstrate that they are capable of preparing to drive safely by satisfying the following requirements-

(i) Adjusting the seat as necessary to obtain a correct seated position,

(ii) Adjusting rear-view mirrors, seat belts and head restraints if available,

(iii) Random checks on the condition of the tyres, steering, brakes, lights, reflectors, direction indicators and audible warning device,

(iv) Checking the power-assisted braking and steering systems, checking the condition of the wheels, wheel nuts, mudguards, windscreen, windows and wipers, fluids (e.g. engine oil, coolant, washer fluid), checking and using the instrument panel including the recording equipment as defined in Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85. This latter requirement does not apply to the applicants for a driving licence for a category C1 or C1E vehicle not falling within the scope of this Regulation.

(v) Checking and using the instrument panel including the recording equipment,

(vi) Overtaking/passing: overtaking other traffic (if possible), riding alongside obstacles, e.g. parked cars, being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate),

(vii) Checking the air pressure, air tanks and the suspension,

(viii) Checking the safety factors relating to vehicle loading: body, sheets, cargo doors, loading mechanism (if available), cabin locking (if available), way of loading, securing load (categories C, CE, C1, C1E only),

(ix) Checking the coupling mechanism and the brake and electrical connections (categories CE, C1, DE, D1E only),

(x) Being capable of taking special vehicle safety measures: controlling the body, service doors, emergency exits, first aid equipment, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment (categories D, DE, D1, D1E only),

(xi) Reading a road map, route planning, including the use of electronic navigation systems,

(b) Special manoeuvres with a bearing on road safety. A selection of the following manoeuvres shall be tested (including one in reverse gear)-

(i) Coupling and uncoupling, or uncoupling and re-coupling a trailer from its motor vehicle, the manoeuvre must involve the towing vehicle being parked alongside the trailer (categories CE, C1E, DE, D1E only),

(ii) Reversing along a curve,

(iii) Parking safely for loading/unloading at a loading ramp/platform or similar installation (categories C, CE, C1, C1E only),

(iv) Parking to let passengers on or off the bus safely (categories D, DE, D1, D1E only),

(c) Test candidates must perform all the following actions in normal traffic situations, in complete safety and taking all necessary precautions-

(i) Driving away: after parking, after a stop in traffic, exiting a driveway,

(ii) Driving on straight roads, passing oncoming vehicles, including in confined spaces,

(iii) Driving round bends,

(iv) Approaching and crossing of intersections and junctions,

(v) Changing direction: left and right turns; changing lanes,

(vi) Approach/exit of motorways or similar (if available), joining from the acceleration lane leaving on the deceleration lane,

(vii) Overtaking/passing: overtaking other traffic (if possible), driving alongside obstacles, e.g. parked cars, being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate),

(viii) Special road features (if available): roundabouts, railway level crossings, tram/bus stops, pedestrian crossings, driving up-/downhill on long slopes, tunnels,

(ix) Taking the necessary precautions when alighting from the vehicle. "

SCHEDULE 2

"SCHEDULE 5

Regulation 26

Minimum vehicle requirements for the purposes of the practical driving test where the test vehicle was first registered on or after 1 January 2004

Minimum vehicle requirements for the purposes of the practical driving test, no later than 29 June 2014, where the test vehicle was first registered prior to 1 January 2004.

."

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

30 November 2013.

LEO VARADKAR,

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations amend the Licensing of Drivers Regulations in line with revised EU requirements. Small changes are made to the driving test for certain categories of vehicle and to the standards of vehicle to be used in the driving test in respect of certain categories of vehicle.

1 OJ L 403, 30.12.2006, p.18

2 OJ L 321, 20.11.2012, p.54