§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on EU regulations on eye tests for heavy goods vehicle drivers. [35954]
§ Mr. NorrisThe second EC driving licence directive requires a new uncorrected vision standard for drivers of lorries and buses. This will apply to new applicants for licences from 1 January 1997. The Government intend to consult further on a proposal to permit existing licence holders to renew their licences provided that they continue to meet current legal requirements. Those who can do so only under preserved rights provisions, which require them only to comply with the eyesight standards which applied when they obtained their licences, would be required to certify that they have a minimum level of recent driving experience and have not been involved in an accident where eyesight might have been a factor.