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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of exempting lorry and bus drivers from European Union eyesight standards. [85261] Ms Glenda Jackson: [holding answer 24 May 1999]: Drivers of lorries and buses (group 2) who obtained their licence since the implementation of the Second EC Driving Licence Directive on 1 January 1997, are subject to the Directive eyesight requirements. Drivers of group 2 vehicles who obtained their licence before 1 January 1997, who are unable to meet the Directive eyesight requirements for such vehicles, but who can continue to meet the pre-Directive requirements, may renew their licence. Drivers of group 2 vehicles who obtained their licence before 1 January 1997, who are unable to meet the pre-Directive requirements for such vehicles, but who can continue to meet the requirements applicable when they obtained their entitlement, may renew their licence provided that they have not been involved in a road accident in the preceding 10 years where defective eyesight was a contributory factor and that they have adequate recent experience of driving these vehicles. This has allowed drivers with a safe driving record over many years to retain their employment. We have no evidence that preserved rights for these drivers have had an adverse effect on road safety.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

85261; 332 c85-6W

Session

1998-99

EC documents

Dir91/439/EEC

Subjects

Buses EU law Exemptions Eyesight Large goods vehicle drivers Testing Driving licences