Vol. 519 No. 7
46 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he intends to take to ensure more consistent application of driving test procedures, in view of the significant variation in failure rates revealed in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14696/00]
Various factors affecting driving test results are identified in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the driving test service. I accept in principle the desirability of greater consistency in the application of driving test standards and intend that the management of the service will address this matter. A consultancy review of the organisation and delivery of driver testing, which is being commissioned, is intended to assist in this.
In relation to the standard of driving instruction, I recently announced proposals for the improved quality control and/or regulation of driving instruction. Under these proposals, all driving instructors will, with effect from 1 January 2002, have to undergo a compulsory test of their competence to instruct if they wish to continue giving instruction for reward. Where driving instructors are already registered with a recognised body-register, which meets certain agreed criteria, they will be exempt from this test.
