Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
267 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he considers it satisfactory that driving test examiners have full and final control in respect of the passing of an applicant for a test; if he proposes to introduce any degree of transparency into driver test exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20768/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriver testers are trained to carry out an assessment of the driving competence of candidates attending for a driving test. The work of each tester is monitored on an ongoing basis by his or her supervisor.
Under Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, a person aggrieved by the decision of a driver tester may appeal the decision to the District Court. If the court finds that the test was not properly conducted, my Department may be directed to arrange a further test, free of charge, for the person concerned. In addition, my Department has a complaints procedure in place which candidates can avail of. Details of the procedure are outlined in the customer complaints procedure leaflet, available at test centres and on the driving test website at www.drivingtest.ie. All complaints received in my Department are examined and necessary action taken as appropriate.
268 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the improvements which have been made to delays in driver testing at both the Waterford driving test centre at which the average waiting time in February 2004 was 38 weeks and at Dungarvan driving test centre at which the average waiting time was 46 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20799/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the numbers waiting together with the average and longest waiting times at the Waterford and Dungarvan test centres during the specified period. An extra tester has been assigned to the south east region and he undertakes tests at both the Waterford and Dungarvan test centres. Numbers waiting at both centres have fallen and I expect this trend to continue for the rest of this year.
|
Numbers Waiting |
Weeks Waiting |
|||||
|
Date |
Average* |
Longest |
||||
|
Waterford |
Dungarvan |
Waterford |
Dungarvan |
Waterford |
Dungarvan |
|
|
2 February 2004 |
3,533 |
1,744 |
38 |
46 |
57 |
57 |
|
5 July 2004 |
3,423 |
1,617 |
51 |
43 |
51 |
47 |
* The average waiting time is derived having regard to waiting times experienced by individual applicants who have undergone a driving test over the previous four week period in the test centre.
