The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend regulations 18, 19, 20 and 23A and revoke regulation 23 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987. The changes made, which all relate to driving tests, are as follows.

First by new regulation 18B a facility is introduced enabling organisations which train motor bicycle and moped riders to pre-book appointments for tests, either singly or otherwise, upon payment of the appropriate fee but without having to name a candidate to take the test at the time of booking. The name of the candidate must be provided, and more detailed information given, before the expiration of a specified period so that the test may properly be arranged. The existing regulations 18, 19 and 19A have been rearranged to accommodate the introduction of this facility and some consequential amendments made.

Secondly the current provision (regulation 23) requiring candidates who have failed a driving test to wait a minimum of one month before retaking the test is removed. A provision (new regulation 18A(3)) is inserted prohibiting a candidate from booking a series of test appointments in advance and from thereby misusing the liberalised system.

Thirdly the provisions of regulation 20(4) are extended. When a driver who has been disqualified-until-test-passed under section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53) passes the appropriate driving test in a vehicle in category B, C1 or D1 (cars, small and medium-sized goods vehicles and private mini-buses), his disqualification is now deemed to have expired in relation to all the categories of larger vehicle.

Fourthly regulation 23A(1) (which makes provision for persons to conduct compulsory basic training courses for motor cyclists) is extended to enable the Secretary of State for Transport to conduct these courses for his own staff.

No change has been made to the fees but the regulation prescribing test fees has been somewhat amended.