As and from May 1st, 2022, as part of the Clancy amendment (Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018), Gardaí will seek to penalise motor cyclists who knowingly allow their vehicles to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver.
The law allows the owners of these motor cycles to be fined and grants Gardaí the power to seize their vehicles, if being driven by unaccompanied drivers.
Garda authorities will issue Fixed Charge Notices in relation to any such offences of Learner Drivers and this new act, which passed through the Dáil last Saturday, also makes it illegal for the owner of a motorcycle to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner or an unlicensed person to drive it, with effect from May 1st next.
The Clancy Amendment came into effect first for motor vehicles in December 2018 and was announced by then Minister for Transport Mr Shane Ross.
The new law will also include Ride-On lawn mowers, and Quad bikes found being driven on public roads and country lanes.
A learner motor cyclist now faces disqualification and a six-month driving ban together with seventeen penalty points, if they are found to offend. Other penalties could include a fine of up to €2,000 or six months in prison or both, if prosecuted.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Act, the Minister for Justice has stated that: “I am very pleased that this new law is coming into effect at last”.
Under this same extension of the existing Clancy Amendment, an Garda Síochána have seized similar 4 wheel motor vehicles, on over 5,000 occasions in the past two years, newly released figures just published today, have shown.
Fool’s Day.