(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person who is the holder of a first driving licence is a novice driver for the period of 2 years from the date of its issue.

(2) Where, during the period of 2 years referred to in subsection (1) the person -

(a) becomes disqualified pursuant to Part III of the Principal Act, section 3 of the Act of 2002, section 29 of the Act of 2010 or section 40 of the Act of 2016, or

(b) ceases to be the holder of a licence,

no part of the period of the disqualification referred to in paragraph (a) or the cesser referred to in paragraph (b), as the case may be, shall be reckoned as part of the period of 2 years and the date of the ending of that period shall be determined accordingly.