Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 7

Written Answers. - Driving Tests.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

115 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of applicants who are currently awaiting driving tests; if he will give comparative figures for October 1989, October 1986 and October 1983; if he has satisfied himself with existing arrangements; and the proposals, if any, he has to alter these.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

Following are the figures requested: February 1993, 30,363; October, 1989, 50,049; October 1986, 22,716; October 1983, 3,957.

The exceptionally low figure for 1983 was due to the greatly reduced level of applications in the period 1980 to 1983 following the "amnesty" for provisional licences in 1979 and the fact that the "accompanied" rule for provisional licence holders did not apply during that period.

The average waiting period for a test, nationally, is now eight and a half weeks, compared to 34 weeks in October, 1989, 14 weeks in October, 1986 and seven weeks in October 1983. Persons who genuinely need a test quickly can normally be accommodated. I am satisfied, therefore, that the present situation is satisfactory and that no changes are necessary at this stage.