Immigrant driving rules tightened

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Failed asylum seekers given temporary leave to remain in the UK will no longer be able to apply for driving licences, under new government rules.

The Department for Transport has said only people granted permission to stay in the country for 185 days or more will now be eligible to take a test.

The change applies to people from outside the European Economic Area and does not affect those from within it.

Transport minister Paul Clark said it was the "right" policy.

The rule change has been implemented under existing law, meaning it will not need to be approved by Parliament or debated by MPs.

'Ordinary settled life'

In a written statement to the House of Commons, Mr Clark said: "As a preliminary measure, I am informing the House that from today those applying for a provisional as well as full driving licence will have to demonstrate that they are lawfully resident in the UK, not simply lawfully present, in order to qualify for a driving licence.

"Those who are present in the UK on temporary permission or temporary release under the Immigration Act 1971 will not be considered eligible for a driving licence.

"Those granted leave to enter or remain in the UK for at least 185 days will continue to be able to apply for a licence whilst their leave is extant, provided they otherwise qualify."

He added: "It is right that those whose status remains undecided and those without leave should not be seeking to establish the benefits of ordinary settled life in the UK, including access to driving licences."

The alteration to the rules was introduced jointly by the Department for Transport and the Home Office.