Vol. 398 No. 6
59 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment the reason he approached the Automobile Association to undertake driver testing on a temporary basis; the reason he considers the Automobile Association to be the appropriate body to carry out such a task; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
60 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the work carried out to date by the Automobile Association in the area of driver testing and training either in Ireland or the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
61 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Automobile Association canvasses outside the motor taxation offices with the intention of recruiting people who have registered their cars or completed a driving licence application form to join the association; his views on whether this role of the association is a potential conflict of interest with the role which he is assigning to them in relation to driver testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am taking Question Nos. 59, 60 and 61 together.
I invited the Automobile Association to undertake driver testing on a temporary basis in order to clear the backlog of driving tests within a year. Their proposals are under consideration in consultation with staff interests.
The AA is one of the oldest motoring organisations in existence with an international reputation for competence and high standards in a wide range of motoring activities. From discussions which I have had with representatives of the association I am satisfied that arrangements can be put in place by that body to select and train personnel to assess adequately the competence of applicants for driving tests. This will be the first time that the association is involved in driver testing and training in this country; I am not aware of the corresponding position in the United Kingdom.
I do not consider that there will be a conflict of interest between the proposed role of the association in driver testing and its existing activities.
62 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to improve the present system of driver testing; if he intends to make it mandatory that all applicants for a provisional driver's licence would have to (i) have completed a written 50 question multiple choice examination on the rules of the road and (ii) have a minimum of five hours driving tuition prior to a provisional licence being issued, having regard to the necessity to increase the standards of safety of driving in view of the large number of road deaths which occur each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The driving test comprises an oral examination of the rules of the road and a practical test in driving. The test complies with requirements laid down in the EC First Directive on Driving Licences.
The test takes from 45 minutes to two hours depending on the category of vehicle. Both the oral and practical tests are designed to ensure that an applicant has an adequate knowledge of the rules of the road; understands and can make proper use of the controls of the vehicle; and putting this knowledge and skill into practice, can drive safely and competently without danger to, and with due regard for, the safety and convenience of other road users.
At present, a draft second directive on driving licences is being considered at EC level. I am keeping under review the question of changes in conditions governing driving licences, provisional licences and driving tests in the light of developments. In this connection, I have noted the point made by the Deputy.
