Part 3Road traffic

Chapter 1Mutual recognition of driving disqualification in UK and Republic of Ireland

Road traffic offences in Republic of Ireland

57Recognition in United Kingdom of F1Republic of Ireland driving disqualification

(1)

Where this section applies, the appropriate Minister—

(a)

must give the offender a notice under this section if the unexpired period of F2the Republic of Ireland disqualification is not less than F3three months, and

(b)

may give him a notice under this section if that period is less than F3three months.

(2)

The unexpired period of F4the Republic of Ireland disqualification is—

(a)

the period of F4the Republic of Ireland disqualification, less

(b)

any period of that disqualification which is treated by regulations made by the appropriate Minister as having been served in F5the Republic of Ireland .

(3)

The provision which may be made by regulations under subsection (2)(b) includes provision for treating any period during which a central authority or competent authority of F6the Republic of Ireland has seized a licence without returning it as a period which has been served F7there.

(4)

If the appropriate Minister gives the offender a notice under this section, the offender is disqualified in each part of the United Kingdom—

(a)

for the relevant period, and

(b)

if F8the Republic of Ireland disqualification is also effective until a condition is satisfied, until the condition or a corresponding prescribed condition is satisfied.

(5)

The relevant period is the period which—

(a)

begins at the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given, and

(b)

is equal to the unexpired period of F9the Republic of Ireland disqualification.

(6)

But if F10the Republic of Ireland disqualification is at any time removed otherwise than in prescribed circumstances, the offender ceases to be disqualified in each part of the United Kingdom from that time.

(7)

The appropriate Minister may make regulations substituting a longer period for the period for the time being mentioned in subsection (5)(a).

(8)

Where F11the Republic of Ireland disqualification is for life—

(a)

the condition in subsection (1)(a) is to be treated as satisfied, and

(b)

the other references in this section and section 58 to the unexpired period of F11the Republic of Ireland disqualification are to be read as references to a disqualification for life.