MOTORCYCLE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (a) how many motorcycle provisional driving licences have been issued monthly since January 1979 up to the latest convenient date; and (b) if he will consider raising the minimum age of applicants for such licences from 16 to 21 years.

The Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 36,389 provisional motorcycle driving licences (PDL's) were issued in 1979. An average of about 3,000 were issued every month. To save time, I have given a full breakdown of the monthly figures (Cols. 1115 - 1116) to the Clerk of Parliament. The Hon. Member may obtain a copy from him. figures - NO. OF PROVISIONAL MOTORCYCLE DRIVING LICENCES (PDL) ISSUED (Cols. 1115 - 1116)

With regard to the second part of his question, I do not intend to raise the minimum age of applicants for the provisional motorcycle licence from 16 to 21 years. I see no reason to do so.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio): Sir, from the figures given of the number of provisional motorcycle driving licences issued since January 1979, we can see that the monthly average is 3,000. Can the Hon. Minister enlighten this House how many of the 3,000 provisional licence holders sat for the test? Will the Minister consider giving them time to sit for and pass the test so that there will be less PDL motorcyclists on the roads?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, earlier my colleague, the Minister for Home Affairs, has already mentioned that the Traffic Police and his Ministry officials are currently looking into a scheme to encourage provisional driving licence holders to prepare themselves for a proper driving test early in order that they can have a qualified licence instead of a provisional licence. This scheme is currently being looked into.