Explanatory note

This Order revokes and replaces the Motor Vehicles (Exchangeable Licences) Order (Northern Ireland) 1994 (S.R. 1994 No. 364), as amended.

The Order designates certain countries and territories under Article 19D(2)(b), (2A) and (2B) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 as making satisfactory provisions for the issue of certain classes of driving licences. This enables a person holding one of those licences to exchange it for a corresponding Northern Ireland licence.

The licences affected are those authorising the driving of mopeds, motor bicycles, motor cars and small goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass (with or without a trailer), tractors, pedestrian controlled vehicles and mowing machines.

There are specific provisions regarding licences which authorise the driving of motor bicycles. In the case of countries and territories specified in Table 1 of Schedule 1 most licences authorising the driving of motor bicycles are exchangeable. However if that licence is one which had previously been granted in exchange for a licence held by a person who had originally passed a test in the Republic of Korea or the Faroe Islands it may not be exchanged for a corresponding Northern Ireland licence.

In the case of the Republic of Korea and the Faroe Islands while a motor bicycle licence is not exchangeable for a corresponding Northern Ireland licence if that licence had been granted to a person who had passed a test in the Republic of Korea or the Faroe Islands, it will be exchangeable if that licence is one which had previously been granted in exchange for a licence held by a person who had originally passed a test in one of the countries or territories specified in Table 1 of Schedule 1, or an EEA State or a country or territory specified in Schedule 2.

The Order also provides that a licence may not be exchanged for a corresponding Northern Ireland licence authorising the driving of vehicles with manual transmission unless the holder took a driving test in a vehicle with manual transmission.