Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland
2003 No. 183

ROAD TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Made
20th March 2003

Coming into operation in accordance with Regulation 1
The Department of the Environment, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Articles 5(3) and (5), 19C(1) and 218(1) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981(1) and of every other power enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and shall come into operation –

(a)for the purposes of regulation 2(3) on 21st April 2003;

(b)for all other purposes, on 1st July 2003.

Amendment of the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

2.—(1) Schedule 6 to the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(2) shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (3).

(2) For Parts 1 and 2 there shall be substituted the provisions set out in Part 1 of the Schedule;

(3) For Parts 3 and 4 there shall be substituted the provisions set out in Part 2 of the Schedule.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 20th March 2003.

L.S.
Stanley Duncan
A senior officer of the
Department of the Environment

Regulation 2(2)
SCHEDULE

PART 1

“PART 1categories a and p

The specified matters are set out in paragraphs A to G. The person conducting the test shall examine the candidate on all the items included in those sections.

A. Road traffic regulation

Road traffic regulations including road signs, road markings, signals, rights of way and speed limits.

B. The driver

1.  The importance of alertness and attitudes to other road users.

2.  Perception, judgement and decision-making, including especially reaction time and changes in driver behaviour due to the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicinal products, state of mind and fatigue.

C. The road

1.  The most important principles concerning the observance of safe distance between vehicles, braking distances and roadholding under various weather and road conditions.

2.  Driving risk factors related to various road conditions, in particular as they change with the weather and the time of day or night and to risk factors relating to slippery surface features such as drain covers, tram lines, road lines and arrows.

3.  Characteristics of various types of road and the related statutory requirements.

D. Other road users

1.  Specific risk factors related to the lack of experience of other road users and the most vulnerable categories of user such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people whose mobility is reduced.

2.  Risks involved in the movement and driving of various types of vehicle and of the different fields of view of their drivers.

3.  The visibility of the motorcycle rider to other users.

E. General rules and regulations and other matters

1.  Rules concerning the administrative documents required for the use of vehicles.

2.  General rules specifying how the driver must behave in the event of an accident (setting warning device and raising the alarm) and the measures which he can take to assist road accident victims where necessary.

3.  Safety factors relating to the vehicle, the load and persons carried.

F. Road and Vehicle safety

1.  Mechanical aspects of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety, i.e. the detection of the most common faults, in particular in the steering, suspension and brake systems, tyres, lights and direction indicators, reflectors, rear-view mirrors, audible warning devices, the emergency stop switch, the oil levels and chain, and the exhaust system.

2.  Vehicle safety equipment including, in particular, the use of protective gloves, boots, clothing, crash helmet and visors.

3.  Precautions when alighting from the vehicle.

G. Environmental matters

Rules regarding vehicle use in relation to the environment, including the appropriate use of audible warning devices, moderate fuel consumption, limitation of pollutant emissions and matters of a similar nature.

PART 2category b

The specified matters are set out in paragraphs A to G. The person conducting the test shall examine the candidate on all the items included in those sections.

A. Road traffic regulation

Road traffic regulations including road signs, road markings, signals, rights of way and speed limits.

B. The driver

1.  The importance of alertness and attitudes to other road users.

2.  Perception, judgement and decision-making, including especially reaction time and changes in driver behaviour due to the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicinal products, state of mind and fatigue.

C. The road

1.  The most important principles concerning the observance of safe distance between vehicles, braking distances and roadholding under various weather and road conditions.

2.  Driving risk factors related to various road conditions, in particular as they change with the weather and the time of day or night.

3.  Characteristics of various types of road and the related statutory requirements.

D. Other road users

1.  Specific risk factors related to the lack of experience of other road users and the most vulnerable categories of user such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people whose mobility is reduced.

2.  Risks involved in the movement and driving of various types of vehicle and of the different fields of view of their drivers.

E. General rules and regulations and other matters

1.  Rules concerning the administrative documents required for the use of vehicles.

2.  General rules specifying how the driver must behave in the event of an accident (setting warning device and raising the alarm) and the measures which he can take to assist road accident victims where necessary.

3.  Safety factors relating to the vehicle, the load and persons carried.

F. Road and Vehicle safety

1.  Mechanical aspects of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety, i.e. the detection of the most common faults, in particular in the steering, suspension and brake systems, tyres, lights and direction indicators, reflectors, rear-view mirrors, audible warning devices, windscreen and wipers, and the exhaust system and seat-belts.

2.  Precautions when alighting from the vehicle.

3.  Vehicle safety equipment and in particular the use of seat belts, head restraints and child safety equipment.

G. Environmental matters

Rules regarding vehicle use in relation to the environment, including the appropriate use of audible warning devices, moderate fuel consumption, limitation of pollutant emissions and matters of a similar nature.”

Regulation 2(3).
PART 3

“PART 3category c

The specified matters are set out in paragraphs A to H. The person conducting the test shall examine the candidate on all items included in those sections.

A. Road traffic regulation

Road traffic regulations including road signs, road markings, signals, right of way and speed limits.

B. The driver

1.  The importance of alertness and attitudes to other road users.

2.  Perception, judgement and decision-making, including especially reaction time and changes in driver behaviour due to the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicinal products, state of mind and fatigue.

C. The road

1.  The most important principles concerning the observance of safe distance between vehicles, braking distances and roadholding under various weather and road conditions.

2.  Driving risk factors related to various road conditions as they change with the weather and time of the day or night, in particular the effect of wind on the course of the vehicles.

3.  Characteristics of various types of road and the related statutory requirements.

4.  Precautions to be taken when overtaking because of the danger of splashing spray or mud.

D. Other road users

1.  Specific risk factors related to the lack of experience of other road users and the most vulnerable categories of user such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people whose mobility is reduced.

2.  Risks involved in the movement and driving of various types of vehicle.

3.  Obstruction of the field of view of the driver and other road users caused by characteristics of their vehicles.

E. General rules and regulations and other matters

1.  Rules concerning the administrative documents required for the use of vehicles.

2.  Vehicle and transport documents required for the national and international carriage of goods and passengers.

3.  The driver’s responsibility in respect of the receipt, carriage and delivery of goods in accordance with the agreed conditions.

4.  General rules specifying how the driver must behave in the event of an accident (setting warning device and raising alarm) including emergency action such as evacuation of passengers, a basic knowledge of first aid and the measures which he can take to assist road accident victims where necessary.

5.  Rules on vehicle weights and dimensions.

6.  Rules on speed limiters.

7.  Rules on driving hours, rest periods as defined by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3820/85(3) and the use of the tachograph as defined by Council Regulation (EEC No. 3821/85)(4).

8.  Rules on the type of transport concerned, goods or passengers.

F. Road and vehicle safety

1.  Mechanical aspects of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety, i.e. checks to detect the most common faults, in particular in the steering, suspension and brake systems, tyres, lights and direction indicators, reflectors, rear-view mirrors, audible warning devices, windscreen and wipers, the exhaust system and seat belts.

2.  Safety factors relating to the removal and replacement of wheels.

3.  Vehicle safety equipment and in particular the use of seat belts, head restraints and child safety equipment.

4.  Precautions when alighting from the vehicle.

5.  Safety factors relating to loading, including in particular control of the load (stowing and fastening), difficulties with different kinds of loads (such as liquids and hanging loads), the load and unloading of goods and the use of loading equipment.

G. Vehicle construction and maintenance

1.  The principles of the construction and functioning of internal combustion engines, fluids such as engine oil, coolant and washer fluid, the fuel system, the electrical system, the ignition system and the transmission system.

2.  Knowledge of lubrication and anti-freeze protection.

3.  The principles of the construction, the fitting, correct use and care of tyres.

4.  The principles of the types, operation, main parts, connection, use and day-to-day maintenance of brake fittings and speed governors, and use of anti-lock brakes.

5.  The principles of the types, operation, main parts, connection, use and day-to-day maintenance of coupling systems.

6.  Methods of locating causes of breakdowns.

7.  Preventive maintenance of vehicles and necessary running repairs.

H. Environmental matters

Rules regarding vehicle use in relation to the environment, including the appropriate use of audible warning devices, moderate fuel consumption, limitation of pollutant emissions and matters of a similar nature.

PART 4category d

The specified matters are set out in paragraphs A and H. The person conducting the test shall examine candidates on all the items included in those sections.

A. Road traffic regulation

Road traffic regulations including road signs, signals, rights of way and speed limits.

B. The driver

1.  The importance of alertness and attitudes to other road users.

2.  Perception, judgement and decision-making, including especially reaction time and changes in driver behaviour due to the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicinal products, state of mind and fatigue.

C. The road

1.  The most important principals concerning the observance of safe distance between vehicles, braking distances and roadholding under various weather and road conditions.

2.  Driving risk factors related to various road conditions as they change with the weather and the time of day or night, in particular the effect of wind on the course of the vehicle.

3.  Characteristics of various types of road and the related statutory requirements.

4.  Precautions to be taken when overtaking because of the danger of splashing spray or mud.

D. Other road users

1.  Specific risk factors related to the lack of experience of other road users and the most vulnerable categories of user such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people whose mobility is reduced.

2.  Risks involved in the movement and driving of various types of vehicle.

3.  Obstruction of the field of view of the driver and other road users caused by characteristics of their vehicles.

E. General rules and regulations and other matters

1.  Rules concerning the administrative documents required for the use of vehicles.

2.  Vehicle and transport documents required for the national and international carriage of goods and vehicles.

3.  The driver’s responsibility in respect of the receipt, carriage and delivery of goods in accordance with the agreed conditions.

4.  General rules specifying how the driver must behave in the event of an accident (setting warning device and raising alarm) including emergency action such as evacuation of passengers, a basic knowledge of first aid and the measures which he can take to assist road accident victims where necessary.

5.  Rules on vehicle weights and dimensions.

6.  Rules on speed-limiters.

7.  Rules on driving hours, rest periods as defined by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3820/85 and the use of the tachograph as defined by Council Regulation (EEC No. 3821/85).

8.  Rules concerning the type of transport concerned, goods or passengers.

F. Road vehicle safety

1.  Mechanical aspects of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety, i.e. checks to detect the most common faults, in particular in the steering, suspension and brake systems, lights and direction indicators, reflectors, rear-view mirrors, audible warning devices, windscreen and wipers, the exhaust system and seat belts.

2.  Safety factors relating to the removal and replacement of wheels.

3.  Vehicle safety equipment in particular the use of seat belts, head restraints and child safety equipment.

4.  Precautions when alighting from the vehicle.

5.  The driver’s responsibility in respect of the carriage of passengers, the comfort and safety of passengers, the transport of children, necessary checks before driving away, this item to cover all types of passenger-carrying vehicle (coaches, buses, vehicles with special dimensions and so on).

G. Road vehicle safety

1.  The principles of the construction and functioning of internal combustion engines, fluids such as engine oil, coolant and washer fluid, the fuel system, the electrical system, the ignition system and the transmission system.

2.  Knowledge of lubrication and anti-freeze protection.

3.  The principles of the construction, the fitting, correct use and care of tyres.

4.  The principles of the types, operation, main parts, connection, use and day-to-day maintenance of brake fittings and speed governors, and use of anti-lock brakes.

5.  The principles of the types, operation, main parts, connection, use and day-to-day maintenance of coupling systems.

6.  Methods of locating causes of breakdowns.

7.  Preventive maintenance of vehicles and necessary running repairs.

H. Environmental matters

Rules regarding vehicles used in relation to the environment, including the appropriate use of audible warning devices, moderate fuel consumption, limitation of pollutant emissions and matters of a similar nature.”

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations further amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (the principal Regulations”) by extending the syllabi for theory tests prescribed for Categories A, B, C and D. These Regulations implement in part Article 1(2) and Annex II of Commission Directive 2000/56/EC of 14th September 2000 amending Council Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences.
Copies of the EC Directives referred to in this note can be obtained from TSO, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.


(1)
S.I. 1981/154 (N.I. 1); see Article 2(2) for the definition of “Department”; Article 5 was substituted by S.I. 1991/197 (N.I. 3) Schedule 1; Article 5 was amended by S.R. 1996 No. 426, Schedule 1, paragraph 2;

(2)
S.R. 1996 No. 542; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 1999 No. 358

(3)
O.J. No. L370, 31.12.85, p. 1

(4)
O.J. No. L370, 31.12.85, p. 8