The Driving and Motorcycle Instructors (Recognition of European Professional Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

PART 1 General

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Driving and Motorcycle Instructors (Recognition of European Professional Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 and shall come into operation on 31^st July 2017.

(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(1) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

Establishment of Part 1 of register

2.  On the day on which these Regulations come into operation, the register previously established and maintained under Part V of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 becomes Part 1 of the register established and maintained for the purposes of Part V of that Order.

PART 2 Amendment of primary legislation

Amendment of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

3.—(1) The Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (14).

(2) In Article 2(1) (interpretation) after the definition of “the Order of 1995” insert—

““the Regulations of 2015” means the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2015(2);”.

(3) In Article 48 (requirement of registration)—

(a) for paragraph (1) substitute—

“(1) A person must not give paid driving instruction of any prescribed description unless—–

(a) he is registered in Part 1 of the register in respect of the giving of that description of driving instruction; or

(b) he is registered in Part 2 of the register in respect of the giving of that description of driving instruction, the registration is not suspended and the instruction is being given in accordance with a right conferred by Part 2 of the Regulations of 2015.

(1A) A person must not carry on a business in the provision of paid driving instruction of any prescribed description unless—

(a) he is registered in Part 1 of the register in respect of the carrying on of business in the provision of that description of driving instruction; or

(b) he is registered in Part 2 of the register in respect of the carrying on of business in the provision of that description of driving instruction, the registration is not suspended and the instruction is being given in accordance with a right conferred by Part 2 of the Regulations of 2015.”; and

(b) in paragraph (7) after “his name is in” insert “Part 1 or 2 of”.

(4) In Article 49 (paid driving instruction: offences)—

(a) in paragraph (1) for “48(1)(a)” substitute “48(1)”;

(b) in paragraph (2) for “48(1)(b)” substitute “48(1A)”;

(c) in paragraph (3) after “time registered” insert “in the appropriate part of the register”; and

(d) after paragraph (4) insert—

“(5) A person is not guilty of an offence under paragraph (4) if—

(a) the person proves that the instruction was given in accordance with a right conferred on the person by Part 2 of the Regulations of 2015; and

(b) the person had not received the evidence of registration mentioned in Article 48(2).”.

(5) In Article 51 (register) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) The register is to be in two Parts.

(1B) Part 1 is to contain the names and addresses of persons the Registrar must register pursuant to Article 52(1).

(1C) Part 2 is to contain the names and addresses of persons the Registrar must register pursuant to Article 52(2A).”.

(6) In Article 52 (conditions of registration)—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) after “registered” insert “in Part 1 of the register”;

(ii) after “register him” insert “in that Part”;

(b) in paragraph (2), after “registered” insert “in Part 1 of the register”; and

(c) after that paragraph insert—

“(2A) Where a person submits to the Registrar, or to the appropriate officer under the 1988 Act, a declaration in accordance with regulations 15 and 16 of the Regulations of 2015 in respect of any description of driving instruction that entitles the person pursuant to Part 2 of those Regulations to give paid driving instruction in the United Kingdom on a temporary and occasional basis—

(a) the Registrar must register him in Part 2 of the register in respect of that description of driving instruction; and

(b) until the Registrar has complied with sub-paragraph (a), the person is to be treated for the purposes of Articles 48 and 70 of this Order as being in Part 2 of the register.

(2B) In paragraph (2A), “appropriate officer under the 1988 Act” means the officer referred to in section 125(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.”.

(7) In Article 55 (duration of registration)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after “registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”;

(b) in paragraph (3) after “person’s registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”;

(c) in paragraph (4) after “registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”; and

(d) after paragraph (5) add—

“(6) Unless previously terminated under the provisions of this Order, a person’s registration in Part 2 of the register in respect of any description of driving instruction shall be terminated at the end of the period of one year beginning with the day specified in paragraph (7).

(7) That day is—

(a) where the person has not submitted a relevant renewal of the declaration, before the first day of the month next after that in which the person became registered in Part 2 in respect of that description of driving instruction, that first day of that month; or

(b) where the person has not submitted a subsequent relevant renewal, before the first day of the month next after that in which the person’s registration in Part 2 was last renewed pursuant to the submission by him of a previous relevant renewal, that first day of that month.

(8) In paragraph (7), ‘a relevant renewal’ means a renewal in accordance with regulations 15 and 16 of the Regulations of 2015 of the declaration or, as may be appropriate, of a previous renewal of the declaration.”.

(8) In Article 56 (extension of duration of registration)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after “his registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”;

(b) in paragraph (4) after “of a person” insert “in Part 1 of the register”; and

(c) in paragraph (6) after “person’s registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”.

(9) In Article 57 (termination of registration)—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) after sub-paragraph (a) omit “or”;

(ii) after sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“(c) in a case where the declaration by virtue of which he was registered has not been renewed as mentioned in Articles 55(6) to (8), at any time since the declaration was made; or

(d) in a case where the declaration has been renewed as mentioned in those Articles, at any time since it was last renewed.”; and

(b) in paragraph (3)—

(i) after “extended” insert “or renewed”;

(ii) after “extension” insert “or renewal”.

(10) In Article 58(1) (power to give direction as to further applications) after “Registrar” insert “, in respect of Part 1 of the register,”.

(11) In Article 59 (appeals to the Department)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(a)(ii) after “extension” insert “or renewal”;

(b) in paragraph (6) after “to be registered” insert “in Part 1 of the register”; and

(c) in paragraph (11) after “extension” insert “or renewal”.

(12) In Article 60 (appeals to the court of summary jurisdiction)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(a) after “extension” insert “or renewal”; and

(b) in paragraph (3) after “to be registered” insert “in Part 1 of the register,”.

(13) In Article 69(1) (power to alter registration period) after “Regulations may” insert “, in respect of Part 1 of the register,”.

(14) In Article 70 (evidence of registration)—

(a) for paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) If at any time a person who is not registered in Part 1 or 2 of the register—

(a) displays a certificate or other item prescribed under paragraph (1) for use by persons registered in that Part;

(b) uses a title or other description prescribed under paragraph (1)(b) for use by such persons; or

(c) uses a title, certificate or other description implying that he is registered in that Part,

he is guilty of an offence unless he proves that he did not know, and did not have reasonable cause to believe, that he was not registered in Part 1 or, as the case may be, Part 2 of the register at that time.”;

(b) in paragraph (3)(a) after “paragraph(1)(b)” insert “for use by other persons registered in either Part of the register”;

(c) after paragraph (3)(a) omit “or”;

(d) after paragraph (3)(b) add—

“; or

(c) uses a title, certificate or other description, in relation to any relevant person who is not appropriately registered in either Part of the register, implying that the relevant person is appropriately registered,”.

Amendment of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

4.  Section 17(4)(b) of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (amendment of Article 19D of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 as respects approved programmes of training: category B motor vehicles and motor bicycles) is amended as follows—

(a) in inserted paragraph (1ZB)(a)(i) after “approved driving instructor” insert “, EU temporary driving instructor”;

(b) in inserted paragraph (1ZB)(a)(ii) after “approved motorcycle instructor” insert “, EU temporary motorcycle instructor”;

(c) in inserted paragraph (1ZB)(a)(iii) after “approved motorcycle instructor” insert “or an EU temporary motorcycle instructor”; and

(d) in inserted paragraph (1ZB)(b) for “and “approved motorcycle instructor”” substitute “, approved motorcycle instructor, EU temporary driving instructor and EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

PART 3 Amendment of subordinate legislation

Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

5.—(1) The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(3) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (9).

(2) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a) for the definition of “approved motorcycle instructor” substitute—

““approved motorcycle instructor” means a motorcycle instructor whose name is registered in Part 1 of the register.”; and

(b) after the definition of “dual purpose vehicle” insert—

““EU temporary motorcycle instructor” means a motorcycle instructor registered in Part 2 of the register”.

(3) In regulation 12 (conditions attached to provisional licences)—

(a) in paragraphs (5A) and (5C) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor”, in each place that it occurs, insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”;

(b) in paragraph (5A)(d) after “14(2)” insert “or (3)”; and

(c) in paragraph (5C)(d) after “14(2)” insert “or (3)”.

(4) In regulation 47A(2) and (4) (provision of approved training courses) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor”, in each place that it occurs, insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

(5) In regulation 47B(3) (nature and conduct of training courses) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor” insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

(6) In regulation 47C(1) (withdrawal of approval to provide training courses or to act as instructor) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor”, in each place that it occurs, insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

(7) In regulation 47D (cessation of conduct of training) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor” insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

(8) In regulation 47F (ratio of trainees to instructors) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor” in each place that it occurs insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

(9) In regulation 47G(1), (1A) and (4) to (6) (evidence of successful completion of course) after the term “approved motorcycle instructor”, in each place that it occurs, insert “or EU temporary motorcycle instructor”.

Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

6.—(1) The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010(4) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (11).

(2) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a) in the definitions of “approved driving instructor” and “approved motorcycle instructor” for “entered in” substitute “registered in Part 1 of”;

(b) for the definition of “certificate” substitute ““certificate” means a document issued to an approved driving instructor, an approved motorcycle instructor, an EU temporary driving instructor or an EU temporary motorcycle instructor as evidence of registration as shown in Part I or Part II of Schedule 5;”;

(c) after the definition of “driving ability and fitness test” insert—

““EU temporary driving instructor” and “EU temporary motorcycle instructor” mean a person who is registered in Part 2 of the register;”;

(d) after the definition of “examiner” insert—

““home State” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Regulations of 2015;”;

(e) for the definition of “the register” substitute ““the register” means either the register of approved driving instructors, the register of approved motorcycle instructors, the register of EU temporary driving instructors or the register of EU temporary motorcycle instructors, as the case may be;”; and

(f) after the definition of “the Regulations of 2004” insert—

““the Regulations of 2015” means the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2015(5);”.

(3) For regulation 3 (register) substitute the following—

“Register

3.   The register is to be compiled on behalf of the Department and maintained by the Registrar.”.

(4) In regulation 4 (registration)—

(a) in paragraph (1), for the words from the beginning to “conditions—” substitute “The conditions prescribed under Article 52(1) of the Order of 2007 for registration in Part 1 of the register are—”; and

(b) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Where the Registrar is satisfied that a person who has applied under Article 52(1) of the Order of 2007 for registration in Part 1 of the register is entitled to give paid instruction in any description of driving instruction by virtue of Part 3 of the Regulations of 2015, regulation 4(1)(a) and (b) shall not apply in relation to the applicant.”.

(5) In regulation 6(1) (termination of registration)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (f) omit “or”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (g) insert—

“(h) that he was not entitled to have been entered in the register by virtue of Part 2 of the Regulations of 2015;

(i) that he is no longer registered in the register maintained by the officer referred to in section 125(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988(6);

(j) that his declaration under Part 2 of the Regulations of 2015 is no longer valid as he is no longer registered in his home State; or

(k) that in accordance with regulation 13(2) of the Regulations of 2015, his provision of professional services is deemed not to be on a temporary and occasional basis.”;

(c) in paragraph (2) after “whose registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”; and

(d) in paragraph (3) after “whose registration” insert “in Part 1 of the register”.

(6) In regulation 14 (official title of registered person)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after “names are in” insert “Part 1 of”;

(b) in paragraph (1) for “Department of the Environment”, in each place that it occurs, substitute “Department for Infrastructure”;

(c) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) The official title for use by persons whose names are in Part 2 of the register shall be the title used in that person’s home State.”;

(d) in paragraph (2)—

(i) after “names are in” insert “Part 1 of ”;

(ii) for “either Part I or Part II” substitute “Part 1”; and

(e) after paragraph (2) insert—

“(3) The certificate for issue to persons whose names are in Part 2 of the register, as evidence of their names being thereon, shall be in the form set out in Part II of Schedule 5.”.

(7) In regulation 15 (display of certificate)—

(a) after “14(2)” insert “or (3)”; and

(b) after “approved”, in each place that it occurs, insert “or EU temporary”.

(8) For the heading to regulation 16A (ratio of motorcycle trainees to approved motorcycle instructors), substitute “Ratio of motorcycle trainees to approved or EU temporary motorcycle instructors”.

(9) In regulation 16A (ratio of motorcycle trainees to approved motorcycle instructors) after “approved” insert “or EU temporary”.

(10) For Schedule 5 substitute Schedule 5 as set out in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(11) In Schedule 6 (fees) for the table substitute the table set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Infrastructure on 23^rd June 2017

Elizabeth Loughran

A senior officer of the

Department for Infrastructure