Many licensed drivers never sat a test

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From Paul Carey: In what year were driving tests introduced in Ireland? Prior to that, one could just sign-up for a licence; could you clarify how old you had to be at the time to obtain a car licence?

The driving test was introduced to Ireland only in 1964, having been part of the 1963 Road Traffic Act. In comparison, the British driving test was introduced in 1934.

Even back in 1964, the test applied only to new drivers. All others were allowed to hold on to their full licences despite never having passed a test and probably never having had a single lesson. This led to a glut of applications for licences in advance of the introduction of the test, many of them from people who had never sat in a car before. This rush was facilitated by the delay in the introduction of the test. This leaves us in the situation that today many fully licensed drivers over the age of 55 never sat the test. Indeed, a number of them may even be driving instructors.

Looking back in the archives to confirm this date, I came across some interesting debates in the Dáil at the time, with ministers promising stricter tests, regular periodic driving tests for all, the registration of driving instructors and all the while promising a rapid reduction in road deaths. You can see how some people can be cynical about political promises.

From T Carr, Dalkey: I have come across two models of a car that I have never seen before. It seems to be called a "Will". They are from 2000 and 2001, are four-seaters about the size of a Ford Ka and look quite smart inside, with tweed styling on the seat cloth. Any idea what they are?

I'm afraid I'm stumped on the origins of the car you describe. I've asked around the experts in the Motors team but no one seems to have heard about this car. If any reader can help, please e-mail us and we will pass on the details to Mr Carr.

From TC: Can you be charged for multiple offences under the new penalty points system? I was recently caught speeding, but I was also told by the Garda that he would be lodging a charge of failing to stop immediately for him.

No, a driver will only be penalised with the highest point penalty applicable. So if you are guilty of breaking the speed limit and a charge of non-wearing of a seatbelt in the car, the maximum you will get is two points or four points if you challenge the charge in court and are found guilty.

Points are allocated on the basis of detection incidents rather than offences, with points applied based on the most significant points offence.

In your case, the speeding offence carries either two or four points while the other charge you refer to could be "failure to act in accordance with a Garda signal" in which case it carries either one or three points. Overall you are looking at either two or four points if you plead or are found guilty by the courts.

From Charles Flynn: Is ethanol power really better for the environment? I've read so many conflicting reports that I am confused at this stage.

Ethanol itself doesn't have significantly lower emissions than petrol when it comes out the car's tailpipe, but the argument goes that as it comes from plants and crops that absorb CO2 during their growth, the end results is relatively neutral.

While some of the Irish produced ethanol is derived from milk whey, it could be argued that sourcing a fuel from cattle, one of the great emitters of CO2, hardly reduces emissions. Admittedly we are not at a stage where cattle are being reared for the sole purpose of ethanol producing whey.

There are also concerns over redirecting food sources from poor countries to feed the wealthy world's insatiable fuel appetite. Alongside this is the worry that places like Brazil - one of the leaders in ethanol production - are sacrificing rainforest for ethanol crop growth.

Help may be at hand in the form of bioreactor-created ethanol. Work is being done to produce ethanol from waste, such as your household rubbish.

It may be a good short-term alternative to oil, but ethanol is not the long-term answer and here in Ireland at least, supply remains an issue.