Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
304. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the measures that are planned to address the backlog in driver tests and the resultant long waiting lists for same which will be exacerbated further due to the ongoing level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14623/21]
View answerThe driving test service is not currently operating as normal due to the impact of Covid-19. Tests are only available, under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, to essential workers. This has had a significant impact on waiting times.
RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions in the current Covid19 environment. The driving test is conducted in an enclosed space for a period of over 15 minutes, where physical distancing is not possible.
Given the significant risk to testers when conducting a driving test, Government has deemed that the driver testing service should be available ONLY for essential workers in Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. The Road Safety Authority offers driving tests to those who can produce evidence that they are an essential worker, in accordance with Government definitions. No exceptions can be made.
My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. Recruitment has commenced and a panel will be formed. However, hiring of testers requires advertising, selecting candidates and training. Newly hired testers require 7 weeks of training in order to be ready. Training is given by experienced testers, so while new hires are in training the capacity of the service is reduced.
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.
A further issue is the number of tests carried out per tester per day. Before the pandemic, testers conducted 8 tests per day. On the resumption of the service in summer 2020, this was reduced to 5 because of health precaution, but later raised to 6. The RSA hopes to increase it to 7, when it can be done so safely.
The health of both the public and the testers themselves must take priority, and as a result it is important to recognise that it will take time to get driver testing waiting times back to normal pre-Covid levels.
