A DRIVING instructor has warned of potentially "catastrophic consequences" from an error in awarding licences to lorry drivers who have taken their driving tests in automatic vehicles.
Lawrence Deehan, an instructor in Limavady, said advice issued in 2013 from the Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA) said that candidates could sit the test in an automatic - provided it also possesses a manual gear system - and be cleared to drive either vehicle.
However while the body governing Britain has applied the amended legislation, the DVA in Northern Ireland appears to have omitted the manual entitlement from licences meaning some drivers who passed in automatic vehicles, but who are driving manual, could be breaking the law.
Mr Deehan, who purchased an automatic vehicle to test candidates on the basis of the 2013 advice, said: "Unfortunately there are candidates who inadvertently are driving without the correct licence, and could possibly end up with a criminal record.
"I have spoken to driving examiners who were totally unaware of the restriction. I have got guys out there, who passed with me, driving lorries with trailers around for a living and getting mortgages. The consequences of something going wrong would be catastrophic."
A spokesman for the Freight Transport Association (FTA) called on the DVA to intervene immediately and clarify the situation so that newly qualified drivers can be assured they are driving legally.
"We are aware that the DVA is currently investing a lot of time and money in delivering a new high standard modern driver licensing system due to go live later this year and we would expect this problem to be resolved when the new system is operational," he said.
In guidance issued by the FTA to drivers in 2014, those wishing to claim the manual entitlement were asked to apply for it.
However, the advice also stated: "DVLA are currently working on a process to upgrade those eligible but who haven’t requested the entitlement... however this may not be in place by 10th April (2014)."
A spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, which handles driving licensing in the north, said it was not possible to comment on individual cases but added the department would adjust licences affected when applications for renewals are made.
She said: "The entitlements that a driver will hold on to their driving licence will depend on when their licence was issued and when they passed their large goods vehicle (LGV) or passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) test.
"There may be some drivers limited to driving vehicles only with automatic restriction but when applying to the DVA to renew their licence, if they meet the conditions of the amended legislation, their licence will be adjusted to reflect the current legal position."
