Transport Act 2000

257 Compulsory driver training courses

In the [1988 c. 52.] Road Traffic Act 1988, after section 99 insert—

“Driver training

99ZA Compulsory driver training courses

Regulations may make provision about training in the driving of motor vehicles by means of courses provided in accordance with the regulations (“driver training courses”).

99ZB Requirements to complete training courses

(1) Regulations under section 99ZA of this Act may provide that persons who have not successfully completed a driver training course—

(a) may not take a test of competence to drive motor vehicles of a prescribed class (or a prescribed part of such a test),

(b) are not authorised to drive motor vehicles of a prescribed class (before having passed a test of competence to drive them) by a provisional licence (or by section 98(2) or 99A(5) of this Act),

(c) are not granted a licence authorising the driving of motor vehicles of a prescribed class by virtue of regulations under section 89(6)(b) or (c) of this Act, or

(d) are not authorised to drive motor vehicles of a prescribed class in prescribed circumstances (despite having passed a test of competence to drive them).

(2) But a person is exempt from provision made by virtue of subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) above if he is undergoing training on a driver training course and is driving a motor vehicle as part of the training.

(3) And regulations under section 99ZA of this Act may include provision exempting persons from any provision made by virtue of subsection (1) above in other circumstances; and regulations including such provision may (in particular)—

(a) limit an exemption to persons in prescribed circumstances,

(b) limit an exemption to a prescribed period or in respect of driving in a prescribed area,

(c) attach conditions to an exemption, and

(d) regulate applications for an exemption.

(4) Regulations under section 99ZA of this Act may include provision for the evidencing by a person of his being within—

(a) the exemption specified in subsection (2) above, or

(b) any exemption provided by virtue of subsection (3) above.

(5) Regulations under section 99ZA of this Act may provide that a driver training course is not to be taken into account for the purposes of the regulations if it was completed before such time as is prescribed.

99ZC Driver training courses: supplementary

(1) Regulations under section 99ZA of this Act may include—

(a) provision about the nature of driver training courses,

(b) provision for the approval by the Secretary of State of persons providing such courses and the withdrawal of approvals (including provision for appeals against refusal and withdrawal of approvals) and provision for exemptions from any requirement of approval,

(c) provision for the training or assessment, or the supervision of the training or assessment, of persons providing driver training courses,

(d) provision setting the maximum amount of any charges payable by persons undergoing such courses, and

(e) provision for the evidencing of the successful completion of such courses.

(2) Such regulations may include provision for the charging of reasonable fees in respect of the exercise of any function conferred or imposed on the Secretary of State by such regulations.

(3) Such regulations may make different provision—

(a) for different classes of motor vehicles,

(b) for different descriptions of persons, or

(c) otherwise for different circumstances.”