§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Transport whether the is aware that a person who has been disqualified from driving for a number of years and whose period of disqualification is at an end is able to begin driving again without taking a driving test; and if he will 141W introduce legislation to ensure that anyone who has not driven for a number of years must pass the test before being given a licence.
§ Mr. MarplesUnder the Road Traffic Acts, 1930–1956, a person who has either held a full driving licence or passed a driving test in the previous ten years can apply for the renewal of his driving licence without taking a test. For certain motoring offences the courts are empowered to order a driving test to be taken irrespective of whether the driver has previously passed the test. I do not consider that further legislation as suggested by the hon. Member would be justified.