Road Safety Authority

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2021

Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Questions (80)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

80. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to renew out of date permits for driving instructors. [24976/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Due to level 5 restrictions and the need to adhere to Government public health protocols, it has not been possible in recent months for the Road Safety Authority to carry out all of the check tests that are legally required to renew driver instructor licences in a timely manner.

In response to these delays and in anticipation of the resumption of Initial Basic Training (IBT) and the partial resumption of Essential Driver Training (EDT) on the 10th of May, my Department has now moved to extend these licences. Under regulations signed into law last week, any driver instructor licence issued between the 1st of September 2018 and the 3rd of January 2021 will now be valid for 3 years rather than 2. The expiry date of these licences will thus be an additional 1 year from the date originally specified on the licence.

I understand that the Road Safety Authority has contacted Approved Driving Instructors across the country to inform them of this extension.