Road Traffic Bill 2013
(July 2013) Government publishes Road Traffic Bill 2013
The measures in the Bill will enhance safety on Irish roads by legislating for roadside impairment tests for drug driving, higher penalty points for speeding, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts, and will allow unconscious drivers to be tested.
Details of the Bill:
*Introducing the concept of ‘Novice’ for the first two years of a first licence. Novices will be required to display an ‘N’ plate;
* Setting the disqualifying level for novice and learner drivers at six penalty points, half the level for other drivers;
* Requiring learner drivers to produce a log book indicating that they have undertaken a minimum (to be specified in Regulations) of accompanied driving experience lessons before taking a driving test. This is in addition to the 12 formal lessons with approved driving instructors already required.
* Taking a blood specimen in hospital from a driver incapacitated following a road traffic collision. The permission of the treating doctor will be required before the specimen can be taken and the results of the analysis will be revealed only when the driver can, subsequently, give permission.
* Roadside impairment testing, where Gardaí can carry out cognitive tests to establish if a driver is under the influence of an intoxicant. The result of the test can be used if a prosecution proceeds.
penalty points increases for offences such as:
* Speeding will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4);
* Mobile phone use will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4);
* Non-wearing of seatbelts will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4);
* Other offences such as non-display of an NCT certificate, which at present involve a Court appearance, will attract 2 points on payment of fixed charge.
The Bill is available at
Test Centre officially closed
Churchtown Test Centre officially closed it's doors to the public on Friday, August 31st. 2012.
To manage demand for driving tests in the South Dublin region the RSA have relocated the staff working out of Churchtown to
Orwell Road, Rathgar and Broomhill Road, Tallaght.
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