Road Traffic (Driving Disqualifications) (2003 Order) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order brings into operation on 11th October 2004 Articles 3 to 8 of, and Schedules 1 and 2 to, the Road Traffic (Driving Disqualifications) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (“the 2003 Order”).

In the 2003 Order:

• Article 3 amends the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (“the 1981 Order”) so as to introduce the recognition in Northern Ireland of relevant driving disqualifications imposed in Great Britain, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

• Article 4(1) amends the 1981 Order so as to enable the Department to issue a driving licence counterpart to a Great Britain licence holder to enable endorsement by authorities in Northern Ireland.

• Article 4(2) amends the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 so that those provisions which apply to the fixed penalty system for traffic offences committed in Northern Ireland apply to a Great Britain licence holder.

• Article 5 amends the 1981 Order to prevent a person from holding or obtaining both a Northern Ireland and Great Britain driving licence. It further disqualifies a person from holding or obtaining a Northern Ireland driving licence to drive a particular class (or classes) of vehicle in Northern Ireland if he holds a Great Britain licence to drive such vehicles.

• Article 6 amends the 1981 Order so that the Department may revoke the authorisation to drive in Northern Ireland on the grounds of disability or prospective disability of a Great Britain licence holder.

• Article 7 makes minor and consequential amendments and repeals as detailed in Schedules 1 and 2.

• Article 8 provides for supplementary or consequential provision.