FROM THE POSTBAG A reader asks for confirmation as to
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the current minimum age for driving certain types of vehicles as he is under the impression that there have been some changes recently.
As set out in Section 97 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, a person may not drive a motor car on the road under the age of 17, or a heavy locomotive, light locomotive, motor tractor of heavy motor car under the age of 21. A goods vehicle is included in the term " mbtor ear" if its unladen weight does not exceed 3 tons, whilst over that weight it is considered a "heavy motor car ". Such goods vehicles are those constructed or adapted for the conveyance of goods. Vehicles not constructed to carry a load and weighing not more than 7+ tons are termed "motor tractors ". Above this weight, and up to 11+ tons, they are described as "light locomotives" and over that weight "heavy locomotives".
As frorn July 1 last year the Motor Vehicles (Minimum Age for Driving) Regulations, 1963, came into force which made effective provisions already
contemplated in the 1960 Act. As a result the minimum age for driving a "motor car" constructed to draw a partially superimposed trailer (that is, an articulated vehicle) and driven with such a trailer attached is increased from 17 to 21 if the unladen weight of the "motor car" (that is, tractive unit) exceeds 2 tons. Also included in the 1963 Regulations, though not of such general application, is the reduction in the minimum age from 21 to 17 when driving certain types of road roller, and from 17 to 16 for certain types of agricultural tractor.