Brendan Griffin
Question:23. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport when driver theory and driver tests will take place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/21]
View answerThursday, 4 March 2021
Questions (23, 25)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:25. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the efforts he is making to ensure that persons who need driver licences for work, education or caring responsibilities can avail of driver tests and driver theory tests in a timely manner. [12319/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 25 together.
My Department is in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority since the start of the pandemic regarding all of its services, the impact of Covid-19 on those services, and how they can best be maintained in the current circumstances.
The restrictions have caused backlogs in the areas of driver testing and driver theory testing. These services were closed during the first Covid-19 lockdown and were operating with limited capacity in the months following re-opening. During the current level 5 period, driving tests are available only to those who are involved in essential services, including essential retail work. The Driver Theory Test Service has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions, and the service will remain closed for the duration of level 5 restrictions.
The Road Safety Authority has set up a dedicated webform so that essential workers can request a driving test. Anyone looking for an urgent driving test appointment and who falls into this category can apply to book a driving test using the online form.
While the services are limited at present, the RSA are examining ways of creating additional capacity for after level 5. This will include a combination of additional staff and extended opening hours.
In this regard, the Department approved the rehire during 2020 of 36 temporary driver testers whose contracts had expired. Subsequently, the Department has approved the hiring of an additional 40 temporary testers for 22 months. This additional capacity will help the RSA to reduce the backlog and return gradually to the normal target of a maximum waiting time of 10 weeks for a driving test.
The provision of extra testers will not on its own suffice to address the problem. One of the difficulties is with the capacity of test centres themselves, given limits on throughput due to Covid restrictions. It will also take time for the 40 testers to be hired and trained.
The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased. Any decision on this matter will be guided by health protocols.
The RSA, together with the Driver Theory Test service provider, have also put plans in place to significantly increase capacity within the service when it is allowed to re-open. To cope with the initial four-month suspension, the service increased capacity from an average pre Covid19 capacity of 15,000 to over 25,000 monthly. A plan is being progressed to increase this capacity up to 50,000 per month when service resumes, to manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times.
As you can appreciate, the first priority has to be public safety – we want to provide services, and we know that people are looking for services, but services can only be provided to the limit possible while preserving public health.
My priority as Minister is to see that the RSA is able to deliver its services in the safest way possible. We are all in the grip of a pandemic at the moment, and I know people are frustrated, but I believe people also understand that there is no easy path through this and that we all have to be patient.