Driving Tests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2012

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Ceisteanna (43, 44)

Derek Keating

Ceist:

29 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, under the regulations for learner drivers, many service providers, driving instructors are restricted or hampered from gaining access to the log books which they are required to use because these books are only available on a download facility from the National Roads Authority and that a significant number of driving instructors do not have access to appropriate computers; and if he will consider, because of the legislation governing driving instructors, ensuring that an adequate supply of log books is available other than from a download facility. [16552/12]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

53 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, under the regulations for learner drivers, many service providers, driving instructors are restricted or hampered from gaining access to the log books which they are required to use because these books are only available on a download facility from the National Roads Authority and that a significant number of driving instructors do not have access to appropriate computers; and if he will consider, because of the legislation governing driving instructors, ensuring that an adequate supply of log books is available other than from a download facility [16551/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 53 together.

I have received a number of representations regarding this issue, and I have consulted with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) about it. The issue arises from the fact that the RSA has introduced online registration for the Essential Driver Training (EDT) system. I understand that, when EDT was first introduced, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) were required to submit their records on an Excel spreadsheet, while the RSA provided them with logbooks free of charge. It was made clear by the RSA at the time that this was a temporary measure, and that a new on-line system would be introduced for ADIs to order and manage logbooks. This would necessitate participating ADIs to have an email address. There was advance warning of this from May of last year, with the online system being introduced only in October. This amounts to a considerable lead-in period.

I gather that there has been and continues to be a high level of registration for the online system, with over 57% of ADIs registered to date. The numbers continue to increase. I will ask the RSA to keep me informed of the progress on the matter in the coming months.