Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
938. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to ensure there is a reduction in the overall number of persons waiting to sit a full driver licence test nationally; his plans to ensure more testers are employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1345/19]
View answerI accept that current waiting times remain high but I am assured that measures being put in place by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will have the desired effect of reducing waiting times for the public. I have approved the appointment of 67 additional Driver Testers, on a phased basis for a period of 12-18 months, to address any surge in driving test applications due to the new legislation in relation to unaccompanied learner drivers. The first cohort of these Testers have been deployed to test centres to conduct driving tests, more Testers are currently in training.
The Authority is also undertaking initiatives in order to increase capacity to deliver extra driving tests. These initiatives include the delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester who participates, and systems to reduce the number of no-shows and non-conducted driving tests. The Authority plans to introduce a new test booking system in 2019 that will give test applicants much more control over their booking and appointment choice.
