Driving lessons will now be mandatory for learner drivers, the government have announced today. The RSA has today given an update on the measures outlined in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 to enhance the way in which drivers are trained, tested and licensed in Ireland. The first phase of the modernisation project has been completed and today an additional nine actions have been announced. Most notably there will requirement on first time learners to have compulsory lessons with an approved driving instructor and learners will not be able to sit their test until they can prove they have undergone this training. Initial figures are 12 hours for car lessons and 16 hours for motorbikes.

These new regulations are a welcome introduction in light of the recent spate of tragedies on Irish Roads. Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority said “the modern driving environment is particularly demanding with increased volumes of traffic, more complex road networks and faster vehicles. It is essential that drivers are formally trained to drive safely for life rather than training just to pass a test. I want to acknowledge the maturity and responsibility which the vast majority of young and inexperienced drivers demonstrate.

The nine new measures are:

• All new first time learner permit holders with effect from 6th December 2010 for motorcycles and 4th April 2011 for cars will be required to undertake mandatory initial basic training (IBT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course will be 16 hours for motorcycle and 12 hours for car licences.
• The role of the supervising driver accompanying learner drivers will be strengthened and we will introduce a requirement for learner drivers to keep a learner log to be signed by their approved driving instructor and their accompanying driver.
• The drink driving limits for drivers with learner permits and those in their first two years on a full driving licence will be reduced to 20mg/100ml. This legislation has been passed by the Oireachtas and will come into effect in September 2011.
• The penalty points for specified offences will be increased for learner and novice drivers so that accumulation of penalty points during the learning phase and in the first two years on a full licence will pose a real threat of disqualification and will impact positively on risk taking and driver behaviour.
• A standard Hazard Perception Test will be developed and carried out during the novice driver phase. The hazard perception test will specifically address risk taking and perception of risk among novice drivers.
•  The current driving test will be modernised to more effectively reflect driver competencies and to influence the learning undertaken by learners. We will introduce a new externally accredited driving test format in the last quarter of 2011.
• Novice drivers will be required to display an R (restricted) plate during the first two years of their full driving licence to support the restrictions that are placed on their licence for that duration.
• The current Driver Theory Test question bank and supporting learning materials will be reconfigured to make it more effective as a learning tool.
• We will engage with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the Gardai and the Courts Service to develop the range and combination of sentencing options available to the courts for driving offences for learner and novice drivers.

Noel Brett said “We believe that these measures are proportionate, fair and necessary. I make a particular plea to parents to increase their involvement in supervising their young adults learning to drive. Whilst the mandatory lessons will not apply to existing learner permit holders I do urge all learner drivers to engage with an ADI and undertake structured training. With the support of young people and their parents I am confident that these new measures will make a huge contribution to reducing death and injuries amongst the next generation of Irish drivers not just now but for their driving careers.

Give us your view – Do you think the goverment should introduce Compulsory lessons and what do you think is a reasonable amount of lessons for learners?