John Perry
Question:98 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to address the driving test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13717/03]
Written Answers. - Driving Tests.
Róisín Shortall
Question:102 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to deal with the large backlog of applications for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13662/03]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:144 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers currently on provisional licences; the number awaiting driving tests; the current average waiting time for tests; his views on whether the situation is satisfactory; the factors contributing to the present problems; and the reason measures have not been put in place to resolve them. [13737/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 102 and 144 together.
The Department of the Environment and Local Government, which holds and administers the national driver file, has advised me that the number of provisional licences, as at 10 April, is 358,845. Some 130,000 applicants are awaiting a driving test at present, compared with approximately 65,000 at the end of December 2002. The average waiting time nationally for a driving test is 17 weeks. The increase in numbers awaiting a driving test has resulted from the unprecedented level of applications for driving tests so far this year – applications are up by 70% on the equivalent period in 2002. Discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance are continuing on a package of measures to address the backlog of driving test applications and I expect that it will be finalised shortly.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 87.