Explanatory note

This Order reduces the burden upon persons holding driving licences issued by countries or territories outside the European Economic Area and wishing to acquire a British licence.

It amends the Road Traffic Act 1988 to enable the Secretary of State to designate a country or territory for the purposes of licence exchange in specified cases instead of in the case of all classes of licence or none at all. For the protection of the general public, the Secretary of State is required to be satisfied that the country or territory makes satisfactory provision for the grant of driving licences either in all cases or in the cases specified in the order.

The Order further provides for the consequential amendment of section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (which empowers a court to disqualify a licence holder until he passes a prescribed driving test).