Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 1

Written Answers - Driving Tests.

Denis Naughten

Question:

251 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the failure and pass rate for each driving test centre; the action he is taking to improve the pass rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9037/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The pass rate covering the year 2002 at all test centres is set out in the following table. As in other EU countries, there is a variation in the pass rate among test centres. The pass rate may be influenced by a number of factors, including the number of lessons taken by the candidate, the standard of instruction available and demographic factors. Our pass rate is consistent with the experience in other countries.

As regards consistency in the standard of the driving test, my Department undertook a comprehensive training programme for all driver testers in 2002 covering procedures for carrying out the test, guidelines to assess faults and training to enhance customer service in the delivery of the driving test. The work of all testers is monitored on an ongoing basis by his or her supervisor.

Test Centre	Pass Rate
Athlone	53.9
Ballina	58.1
Birr	62.3
Buncrana	63.2
Carlow	47.6
Carrick-on-Shannon	51.2
Castlebar	58.3
Cavan	47.3
Churchtown/Rathgar	50
Clifden	52.2
Clonmel	57
Cork	59.2
Donegal	61.3
Dundalk	49.1
Dungarvan	54.6
Ennis	59.6

Test Centre	Pass Rate
Finglas	49
Galway	55.2
Gorey	51.6
Kilkenny	52.7
Killarney	62.2
Kilrush	59.6
Letterkenny	62
Limerick	61.7
Longford	56.2
Loughrea	51.3
Mallow	61.5
Monaghan	51.7
Mullingar	55.8
Naas	53.9
Navan	53.2
Nenagh	49.8
Newcastle West	64.4
Portlaoise	51.4
Raheny	50.4
Roscommon	55.8
Shannon	65
Skibbereen	60
Sligo	62
Tallaght	49.8
Thurles	52.6
Tipperary	50.8
Tralee	56.8
Tuam	55.5
Tullamore	56.6
Waterford	54.3
Wexford	51.9
Wicklow	49