§ 15. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Transport whether men and women who have qualified as drivers while serving in one of the Services will be required to undergo a driving test.
§ Mr. BarnesEx-Service men and women who apply for driving licences are not required to undergo a driving test provided they have passed the prescribed test whilst serving and are in possession of a certificate of competence to drive vehicles of that class issued by an authorised examiner. The additional licence normally required to drive heavy goods vehicles is at present in abeyance, but arrangements have been made whereby Service personnel can undergo a suitable test, while still in the Services, which will be accepted for the issue of such a licence in due course. These arrangements do not apply to the additional licence required to drive public service vehicles, where special considerations arise
§ Mr. George HicksWould the Minister agree that it is desirable that those persons, in spite of the fact that they have not to undergo another test, should subscribe to the speed limit on the road?
§ Mr. BarnesDoes the hon. Gentleman mean Service drivers?
§ Mr. BarnesCertainly they should.
§ Major RamsayMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether these arrangements also apply to civilians who obtained licences under wartime tests?
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. The matter as to provisional licences will come under review later.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeIs the Minister aware that it is better to be safe than sorry and that, while it is only natural that Service vehicles should have been involved in the majority of accidents during the war, there have been too many instances of gross carelessness on the part of Service drivers?