European Parliament
Seán Ó Neachtain (UEN ),
in writing
I welcome this directive which will replace over 110 different driving licence models currently in circulation throughout the EU. I believe that this new single EU-wide credit card format will also go a long way in combating driving licence tourism. The net effect of this will be that Member States like Ireland can refuse to issue a driving licence to an applicant whose permit was restricted, suspended or withdrawn in another Member State.
I also support the targeted road safety aspect to this report, with a theory test for mopeds becoming compulsory from 2013. Also, the principle of "progressive access" will mean that riders must accumulate experience on smaller motorcycles before moving up to larger engines.
I have always maintained that on certain issues exchange of best practice and standard setting at EU level can often reap positive results. In this respect I believe that EU standard setting on the basic qualifications and retraining programmes for driving examiners is a positive development.

