HC Deb 14 February 1984 vol 54 cc114-5W
Dr. Twinn

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to extend the exchange of driving licences to countries outside the European Community.

Mrs. Chalker

The Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Act 1983 gives the Secretary of State power to designate countries and territories where he is satisfied with the provisions for granting licences to drive. Their licences would then be exchangeable for British ordinary licences. The power does not extend to vocational licences.

As required by the Act, representative organisations are being invited to give their views on the first list of designations, which would come into effect on 1 June 1984. The countries concerned are Australia, Hong Kong, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.