Learner Drivers could soon face prosecution, heavy fines, and have their vehicle seized for driving without a fully licensed driver.
The clampdown on Learner Drivers is to come before the Cabinet today, with Transport Minister Shane Ross hoping to give Gardaí the right to seize vehicles driven by unaccompanied Learner Drivers.
According to the Irish Independent, other proposed penalties up for discussion today include a €2,000 fine and a six-month stint in jail; although the details of such penalties would need approval from the Attorney General.
The changes are being called the “Clancy amendment”, named after Noel Clancy who has campaigned for tighter restrictions on Learner Drivers after his wife Geraldine and daughter Louise Ann died following a collision with an unaccompanied Learner.
Currently, the penalties for driving unaccompanied are two penalty points and a fine.
The penalty points disqualification threshold of 12 points is reduced to 7 penalty points for those who obtain their first learner permit on or after 1 August 2014. It remains at the lower threshold while they drive under a learner permit and subsequently during the first two years while they drive under their first driving license.
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