Driving Tests.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004

Thursday, 27 May 2004

Questions (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

12 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15793/04]

John Deasy

Question:

28 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting driving tests in each test centre; the current waiting time at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15792/04]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

31 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; the number of persons awaiting driving tests in each test centre; the current waiting time at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15789/04]

Paul McGrath

Question:

57 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15794/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

63 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the driving test backlog; when he plans to introduce legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15770/04]

Michael Ring

Question:

70 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15791/04]

Gay Mitchell

Question:

90 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to reform the driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15782/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 28, 31, 57, 63, 70 and 90 together.

The content of the driving test is set out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant EU directives. As in other EU countries, there are variations 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.

With regard to 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 each individual tester is monitored on an ongoing basis by his-her supervisor and remedial action is taken where this is required.

The number of applicants awaiting a driving test fell from 125,009 in May 2003 to 121,153 as at 24 May 2004. 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. Driver testers continue to deliver additional tests by working overtime on Saturdays and at lunchtime. I have also asked my officials to explore the possibility of recruiting additional testers.

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 almost complete. It is my intention to introduce this legislation in the Oireachtas in this session.

The pass rate for 2003 as well as the average waiting time and numbers waiting as at 24 May 2004 are set out in the following table.

Test Centre	Average Weeks Waiting	Number of Applicants Waiting	Pass rate 2003
			%
North Leinster
Finglas	27	8,691	48.8
Dundalk	24	2,919	51.6
Mullingar	24	1,699	57.0
Navan	41	4,418	54.4
Raheny	37	7,663	49.7
South Leinster
Churchtown/Rathgar	33	11,364	48.3
Gorey	25	1,934	52.6
Naas	33	6,733	53.6
Tullamore	29	1,684	54.2
Wicklow	40	2,236	47.3
Tallaght	50	8,711	50.9
West
Athlone	17	1,118	57.0
Birr	29	1,166	65.1
Castlebar	32	2,169	62.1
Clifden	18	308	56.0
Ennis	10	835	65.5
Galway	26	2,653	61.2
Loughrea	15	810	58.5
Roscommon	26	989	60.0
Tuam	28	1,092	64.2
North West
Ballina	32	1,173	61.2
Buncrana	31	626	65.6
Carrick-on-Shannon	36	1,170	54.4
Cavan	43	1,926	50.2
Donegal	32	1,108	57.1
Letterkenny	38	2,011	60.4
Longford	39	1,009	55.9
Monaghan	41	1312	50.8
Sligo	31	1,388	63.5
South East
Carlow	34	2,513	49.2
Clonmel	41	2,088	51.3
Dungarvan	49	1,735	57.3
Kilkenny	37	2,399	55.4
Nenagh	43	789	49.8
Portlaoise	42	1,526	50.0
Thurles	39	1,175	56.3
Tipperary	40	1,167	47.9
Waterford	54	3,461	54.8
Wexford	29	2,452	51.5
South West
Cork	24	6,263	55.5
Killarney	32	1,967	60.0
Kilrush	26	546	62.3
Limerick	37	3,824	62.3
Mallow	29	2,044	57.8
Newcastle West	30	1,677	60.5
Shannon	38	959	66.4
Skibbereen	33	1,853	59.5
Tralee	32	1802	59.7

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.