§ Lord Monsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the drivers of Continental tourist coaches and heavy goods vehicles are required to show a reasonably thorough knowledge of United Kingdom traffic law and the Highway Code before being allowed to drive in this country. [HL3070]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)Drivers of coaches and lorries from other countries, whose driving licences are valid for temporary visits to the UK under long-standing international arrangements, must abide by British road traffic law and the conventions set out inThe Highway Code. As with British drivers in other countries, foreign drivers are expected to familiarise themselves with the traffic rules of the country they are visiting. The Department issues advice for visitors to this country. A leaflet, available at entry points, stresses to visiting drivers the importance of understanding the rules of the road in the UK, and explains some of the most fundamental of them. Copies of the leaflets are in the Library.