andMr. Coughlan asked the Minister for Local Government the number of applications for (a) provisional and (b) full licences in the 12 months ended January, 1968; the number declined and the number passed in each category; the amount collected by the State in fees; and if he is satisfied that the inspection system is satisfactory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Licences.
47.
The grant of provisional licences and driving licences is a matter for the local licensing authorities who are not, in general, required to keep records of the applications made to them for licences or of the number of these applications refused by them. In so far as the grant of a driving licence is affected by the requirement that the applicant must have passed the driving test, the position is that 35,000 tests were conducted in the year ended 31st December, 1967, the latest date for which completed figures have been compiled. Of these applications, 19,554 or 55.8 per cent were refused. Particulars are not kept of the passes and failures in each class of vehicle in which driving tests are conducted but over 80 per cent of applications received are for Class C or private car tests. The amount collected in fees on all above applications was £35,000.
As I mentioned recently, I do not claim that the system is perfect or foolproof but I am quite satisfied that everything feasible is done to ensure that people undergoing test get a fair chance.