Paul Donnelly
Question:236. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the provisions put in place to cover the backlog in driver theory tests; and if they can be moved to an online forum. [36843/20]
View answerTuesday, 17 November 2020
Questions (236)
Written answers
The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under level 5. As a consequence, the service is closed, effective from midnight on Wednesday 21st of October, and will remain closed for the duration of level 5 restrictions. All appointments during that time have been rescheduled to the next available appointment date.
The Road Safety Authority has advised my office that it is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services are resumed. This will help reduce and, over time, eliminate the backlog.
My Department has requested that the Road Safety Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely and what is required to do so. I understand that the Authority is developing proposals in that regard. However, this planning is at a very early stage and is not expected to come on stream in the immediate future.