(1) Any person may apply to the superintendent of the Gárda Síochána of the district in which he ordinarily resides or, if he does not ordinarily reside in Saorstát Eireann, to such superintendent of the Gárda Síochána as the Commissioner shall direct for such certificate of competency as is hereinafter mentioned.
(2) Whenever any person (in this section referred to as the applicant) applies under this section to a superintendent of the Gárda Síochána and pays to the Commissioner such fee as shall be fixed by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, such superintendent shall cause the skill and competency of the applicant to drive either (as the applicant shall require) a large public service vehicle or a small public service vehicle to be tested in a suitable vehicle provided by the applicant, and -
(a) if he is satisfied that the applicant has the skill and competency to drive a large public service vehicle, shall give to the applicant a certificate (