Holly Cairns
Question:237. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to address the backlog in people waiting to take driving tests. [12480/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
Questions (237, 301, 302)
Holly Cairns
Question:301. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the actions that he has taken to improve waiting times for driving tests [14021/23]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:302. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on the current waiting times for each driving test centre, including the number of people waiting for tests and waiting to be invited to apply for a test, and monthly break down, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14022/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 237, 301 and 302 together.
The operation of the National Driving Test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested on waiting times is held by them. Therefore I have referred that part of your question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the Authority is working closely with my Department to address the issue of Driver Testing waiting times.
The Driver Testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand which is 28% up on 2021 figures and 27% up on 2018 pre Covid-19 pandemic figures.
The current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test when the service resumed post Covid-19 and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their test.
The Authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. Deployment of these successful candidates is almost complete and has been focused on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists.
Given the continued backlog, demand and capacity of the driver testing service was further reviewed in late 2022 and early 2023. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating a subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.