Licence & Insurance
Medical Report Accompanying Driver Licence Application including Application Procedure for a Learner Permit
A medical report (D501) is to be completed when applying for a learner permit, or renewing a full licence, whereby the person:
- requires an adaptation to drive
- is diagnosed with a disability/illness
- has any doubt about their physical or mental fitness to drive.
When submitting a medical report this also includes an eyesight report, so a separate eyesight report D502 need not be completed.
(For more information see Driving Courses for the complete procedure on obtaining a Learner Permit).
Medical reports are not required if you are declaring that you use a hearing aid while driving, but are required if you have serious hearing difficulties.
This guide is for drivers with a disability, however licensing for larger vehicles also require a medical report, and for a full list of the medical report requirements check page 192 of The Rules Of The Road book, the relevant licence application form, or go online to www.transport.ie.
Licence application forms and all necessary information are available to download at: www.corkcoco.ie, click on motor tax, and then downloadable forms.
..............................................................................................................................
Driving Licence Codes
Certain additional information or restrictions relating to the holding of a driving licence, learner permit, or provisional licence may be noted on a licence in coded format.
Eg. Code 100 -Restricted to vehicles adapted to suit disability of licensee or Code 01 -must wear corrective lenses etc.. A list of the codes are available on cork coco.ie downloadable form D.401.or on the application for the licence.
For further information including application form downloads go to www.corkcoco.ie and click on motor tax. Or go to www.transport.ie
..............................................................................................................................
Older Drivers Licence Application/ Medical Report
An applicant who is aged 70 years or older must produce a medical report (D501) to renew his/her licence.
There is no fee for a licence to applicants 70 years or older.
NOTE:
(1) A medical report (Form D.501) is required if an applicant will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being granted
(2) When aged between 60 and 67 an applicant may apply for a licence up to his/her 70th birthday.
When aged between 67 and 69 a person may apply for a three-year licence.
.............................................................................................................................. |
 |
Eyesight
A first time application for a learner permit must be accompanied by a completed eyesight report (ref. D502) unless a medical report (D501) is already being submitted.
An applicant for a learner permit or full licence experiencing diplopia, defective binocular vision or loss of visual field must submit a medical report D501.
A person with sight in one eye may be permitted to drive provided they meet the prescribed standards set down on the eyesight report form D502.
Any visual difficulties/abnormalities experienced, you should seek a registered medical practitioner or opticians advice before driving.
Before completing any application forms carefully read all information on the application.
..............................................................................................................................
A Booklet Guide For Registered Medical Practitioners
A guide for registered medical practitioners booklet on Medical Aspects Of Driver Licensing is available from the Road Safety Authority, Gov. Offices, Driver Licensing section, Ballina, Co. Mayo by phoning 096 78 288. However, the Road Safety Authority are presently reviewing the whole area of Fitness to Drive (2009) and the present guidelines are due to be replaced.
..............................................................................................................................
Period of A Licence/ Learner Permit
A first and second learner permit is generally issued for two years. A third or subsequent learner permit may be issued for one year only, provided a person has undergone a driving test or has applied for a driving test.
Where a medical report has to be submitted the registered medical practitioner (G.P) may restrict the period of the permit to one year only.
A full licence may be issued for one year, three years, or ten years. Where a medical report
has to be submitted with a full licence the registered medical practitioner (G.P) may restrict the period of the licence to one year or three years.
NOTE: A medical report must be completed within one month prior to submission of application for a full licence/ learner permit.
..............................................................................................................................
Expired Licenses
A person shall be regarded as an applicant for a first learner permit (and follow the complete procedures again including any additional rules) where the previous learner permit/provisional licence has expired by five years or more.
A person shall be regarded as an applicant for a first learner permit (and follow the complete procedures again including any additional rules) where the previous full licence has expired by ten years or more.
.............................................................................................................................. |
|
Insurance Information
The Insurance Federation Of Ireland And Insurance Information Services insists that a driver with a disability is not charged extra, nor refused a quote solely based on their disability. If you have difficulty obtaining vehicle insurance you should contact the Insurance Federation Of Ireland And Insurance Information Services, Insurance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Phone 01 6761820 or go on line to www.iif.ie.
The advice is to shop around for the best quotes. First Ireland Risk Management, 396 North Circular Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7. ( 01 882 0882 ) operate a disabled drivers insurance scheme thereby offering competitive quotes to disabled drivers. Website www.firstireland.ie.
A driver having acquired a disability/illness are obliged to inform their vehicle insurance company/broker of the changes in their health before returning/continuing to drive.
The procedure for this is usually a letter of confirmation from a registered medical practitioner i.e. your G.P or Consultant stating your medical fitness to drive.
Additionally to the letter of confirmation of medical fitness to drive, a driver:
- having acquired a disability/illness
- requiring adaptations to enable them to drive,
- or having your vehicle modified/changed/adapted from the original manufacturers specifications,
a person is obliged to inform their insurance company/broker of the necessary changes, and most insurance companies require an engineers report from the adaptation company that carried out the work.
CAUTION:
Anyone who fails to inform their vehicle Insurance Company of a medical condition affecting their ability to drive safely could void their Insurance Policy.
Anyone continuing to drive having been advised to stop by a registered medical practitioner and thereby voiding their licence rules and regulations, and/or vehicle insurance policy, may acquire a mandatory court appearance and receive five penalty points.
For anyone driving when unfit may acquire a mandatory court appearance and may receive three penalty points.
Additionally a Judge may also enforce additional fines and / or punishment.
Warning, these simplified guides are not an interpretation of the law therefore before completing any application form read all terms and conditions that apply or contact the necessary department.
Driving Ability Assessments
Following an illness/disability anyone applying for or renewing a licence, or simply returning to driving, a G.P. or Consultant may request a cognitive/perceptual assessment and/or an On-Road Driving Ability Assessment before providing a letter of confirmation for driving. For further information go to Driving Assessments.
|
