Gardaí issue licence warning

MOTORISTS have been told to apply now if they have lost their driving licence but a senior traffic garda said members on the ground will initially be reasonable before initiating prosecutions.

As of January 1, it is compulsory to carry a licence, a move designed to make it easier to enforce the penalty points system already in place for speeding.

It is planned to extend the system over the course of the year. A decision has yet to be made on whether drivers not carrying their licence will face a penalty point.

However, Supt Liam Collins, of the Dublin traffic office said gardaí will take into account that possibly thousands of motorists have mislaid their licence and may be in the process of applying for a duplicate.

Supt Collins said: "We will be reasonable but expect people to go out and get them now. However, he warned that the law would be enforced and in a few weeks gardaí are less likely to be impressed by excuses.

Drivers seeking a duplicate licence have to go to their local garda station with photographic identification and their social security number and have a D800 form signed by a member.

The form should be then forwarded to the local city or county council. Meanwhile, Fine Gael transport spokesman Denis Naughten has claimed the delay in introducing the penalty points system has cost hundreds of lives. "Had the Government introduced the system on time, then 588 road deaths over the past three years may have been prevented," he said.