A grey area in Great Britain’s driving licensing laws has been highlighted by one Manx student’s experience.

After months of working on ambulances, Ciara Ashcroft discovered that her Isle of Man licence might not be valid.

The 21-year-old studies paramedic science at Staffordshire University, and assisted West Midlands ambulance crews during the coronavirus pandemic when the health service was particularly overwhelmed.

Before leaving for university, Ciara passed her C1 driving test in the island, which allows recipients to drive vehicles up to a weight of 7.5 tonnes, meaning she was a prime candidate to take up the role. Following her work, she went for an interview for a permanent job, when she discovered her licence was considered invalid.

She said: ’I found out in my interview. I went to go do a driving assessment with the ambulance service and then that’s when they pulled me up on my licence.’

She was told that her licence was not valid to drive on UK roads, and that she would have to leave her car outside the test centre, as they could not legally allow her to leave in it.

This is due to a rule which states that Isle of Man residents can drive in the UK on their Manx licence for only 12 months from the date they last entered the country.

It meant Ciara could not drive to work placements, and had to get the bus home after night shifts at 5am.

Richard Ashcroft, Ciara’s father, said: ’A clock starts ticking the second you are on the Ben-my-Chree.’

He added: ’This has potentially damaged her opportunity to work.

’She’s been driving ambulances, and stepping up to the plate [during the pandemic], but no-one is watching out for her, checking her welfare and documentation.’

He blamed the rules regarding licencing, stating they are unclear, and buried ’deep in DVLA small print.’

Ciara expected to be travelling between the UK and Isle of Man. But the pandemic stopped that.

She described the laws as unclear, saying that the UK’s DVLA website provides mixed messages.

She said: ’It is really confusing, and I’m pretty sure [the DVLA] got confused too, because every time you look it up you get different answers.’

A spokesperson for the UK’s DVLA said: ’The rules are different depending on whether the licence holder is visiting Great Britain or [is a] resident here.

’It would be for the licence holder to establish if their attending university would count as residing in Great Britain.’

The DVLA stated that for those visiting Great Britain from the Isle of Man: ’Providing the individual’s driving licence remains valid, visitors to Britain from Isle of Man can drive any category of vehicle shown on their licence for 12 months from the date they last entered the country.’

For those who become resident in Britain: ’Isle of Man licence holders may drive in Great Britain any category of vehicle (including LGV and PCV) shown on the licence for up to 12 months from the date they become resident.

’To continue driving after the 12-month period individuals will need to exchange their driving licence for the British equivalent.’