Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the resumption of driver tests; if persons whose provisional licence lapsed during the pandemic will be prioritised for a test; the legal situation for drivers whose provisional licence has lapsed but are still awaiting a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16687/20]
View answerDue to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, my predecessor took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 8 months. The issue of lapsed learner permits as a direct consequence of the suspension of services therefore should not arise.
The RSA has been working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives.
The driver testing service restarted on a phased basis during Phase 3 of the Government’s road map for easing of Covid19 restrictions. On Monday 29 June, driving tests resumed on a gradual basis for trucks, buses and motorcycles. Fourteen driving test centres reopened initially, but as the number of tests and categories of vehicles being tested increases, the remaining test centres will reopen.
The RSA will update its website, rsa.ie to advise on each centre as they re-open.
Following the publication by Government of a revised Phase 3 road map for reopening Ireland, driving tests for cars, vans and minibuses are also resuming on a phased basis. Priority will initially be given to frontline workers and those who had their driving tests cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 emergency response measures.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, whether from infection or from deaths and injuries on the road, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.
