But warns measures must not discriminate against less well off
Fine Gael Transport Spokesman Simon Coveney TD has said he would welcome
compulsory lessons for learner drivers, but said any proposals must not
discriminate against lower income families.
“I will fully endorse any proposals to increase the minimum number of hours
that learner drivers are required to receive from qualified instructors.
“I firmly believe that no-one should be allowed to drive a car unless they
have had professional instruction and a certain amount of practice. This is
the only way to ensure that everyone reaches an acceptable level of driving
skills and an understanding of road safety before driving unaccompanied.
“However, any new initiative must not discriminate against those on lower
incomes. There is a danger that imposing a minimum number of driving
lessons will be prohibitively expensive for some families.
“Fine Gael will not support any proposal that makes it impossible for
families who cannot afford to pay for lessons to be excluded from driving.
Learning to drive and passing the test should not be determined by a
person’s income.
“So I am calling on the Government to examine the feasibility of the State
providing some contribution to lower income families towards the cost of
compulsory driving lessons.”