Training move to halt road tragedies

LEARNER drivers will have to pay lesson fees of up to €700 before being allowed to go for their test, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey last night insisted.

The minister said training by professional instructors was needed to prevent road tragedies like the one in Donegal which left eight people dead last week.

Mr Dempsey said a graduated driver licensing system under which learners would need a minimum number of lessons from registered instructors to pass a test could be installed in six months.