Driving Tests.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2004

Wednesday, 28 January 2004

Questions (68, 69, 70)

Michael Ring

Question:

166 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the driving test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2288/04]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

167 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants awaiting driving tests at the latest date for which figures are available; if he will give the current waiting time in each test centre; if he will outline the progress made to date in discussions with the Department of Finance on a package of measures to address the backlog of driving test applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2128/04]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

168 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport when he expects applicants for driving tests to be able to have their tests within a reasonable time; the current backlog and waiting time; and the estimated cost to applicants in the payment of additional insurance premia pending their obtaining full licences. [2106/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 168, inclusive, together.

The number of applicants awaiting a driving test at 26 January 2004 is 119,569. Of these, 21,631 have been given test appointments and a further 13,226 have indicated that they are currently not available to be tested. The current average waiting time nationally for a driving test is 33 weeks. The current average waiting time at each test centre as at 26 January 2004 is set out in the following table.

The current waiting times are due to the unprecedented level of approximately 230,000 test applications received in 2003. This represents a 21% increase on 2002 applications. However, indications are that applications have now fallen to normally expected levels. The annual capacity of the driver testing service, inclusive of normal overtime, is in the region of 200,000 tests. I anticipate that the current waiting times will improve over the coming year.

Sanction for a bonus scheme for driver testers was obtained from the Department of Finance in May 2003. Under the terms of the scheme set out by the Department of Finance, the bonus scheme terminated in November 2003. In addition to the bonus scheme, eight retired driver testers were re-employed with effect from 13 October 2003. Driver testers continue to deliver additional tests by working overtime on Saturdays and at lunchtime.

Preparation of legislation to establish the driver testing and standards authority, which will take on responsibility for conducting driving tests and will have more flexibility to respond to variations in demand, is at an advanced stage.

The cost and availability of insurance is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Centre	Average Weeks Waiting	Centre	Average Weeks Waiting
North Leinster		South East
Finglas	33	Carlow	33
Dundalk	38	Clonmel	46
Mullingar	28	Dungarvan	44
Navan	41	Kilkenny	35
Raheny	36	Nenagh	45
South Leinster		Portlaoise	34
Churchtown/Rathgar	35	Thurles	38
Gorey	46	Tipperary	44
Naas	33	Waterford	35
Tullamore	37	Wexford	35
Wicklow	46	South West
Tallaght	43	Cork	36
West		Killarney	40
Athlone	6	Kilrush	25
Birr	30	Limerick	33
Castlebar	39	Mallow	34
Clifden	15	Newcastle West	34
Ennis	15	Shannon	40
Galway	31	Skibbereen	33
Loughrea	18	Tralee	35
Roscommon	22
Tuam	28
North West
Ballina	35
Buncrana	17
Carrick-on-Shannon	40
Cavan	44
Donegal	29
Letterkenny	23
Longford	26
Monaghan	39
Sligo	25

Note: The average waiting time is derived having regard to waiting times experienced by individual applicants who have undergone a driving test over the previous four week period in the test centre.

Question No. 169 answered with QuestionNo. 142.

Question No. 170 answered with QuestionNo. 129.