§ Mr. Chatawayasked the Minister of Transport whether he will now issue new regulations under the Vehicle and Driving Licences Act, 1969, to enable the granting of driving licences under suitable conditions to persons suffering from epilepsy.
Mr. Bob BrownThe necessary regulations—The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations, 1970—were laid before Parliament on 16th February, 1970, and will come into operation on 1st June, 1970.
Driving licences may be issued, from 1st June, in suitable cases, to persons with epilepsy who, on the basis of medical evidence, have been free from attacks for at least three years, with or without treatment, or who have a history of attacks only during sleep for more than three years.
Applications under the new Regulations must be made on a new style form—DL1 (Revised) 1970—copies of which will be available from licensing authorities by 1st May, 1970 and from money order Post Offices from 26th May, 1970.