§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the age of eligibility for drivers. [20934]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe prescribed minimum ages for driving different types of vehicle are set out below. However, the law allows lower minimum ages in special circumstances.
Age Vehicle 16 Mopeds 17 Cars and other small vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and with up to 8 passenger seats; motorbikes; 18 Goods vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes; 21 Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and passenger vehicles with more than 8 seats. The EC Driving Licence Directive, with which these accord, includes a derogation allowing cars to be driven at 17, rather than 18. There are no plans to change that or any other minimum age.