Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
138. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce mandatory testing of learner drivers competency on a more frequent timeline than is currently in place; if he has engaged with the Road Safety Authority in relation to the number of learner permits a person may avail of over the course of their learning period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18108/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Road Safety Authority lodged submissions to him and or his predecessor in relation to reform of the learner driver licencing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18109/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.
I am aware that there are a large number of people driving on our roads on their 4th, 5th, 6th or subsequent learner permit. While it is legal for a learner permit holder to drive on our roads as long as they are accompanied by a qualified person, I agree there is a need to reduce the number of people driving on recurring learner permits without clear reasons.
In late 2019, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) forwarded proposals to this Department setting out possible measures that could be introduced to encourage learner drivers to sit a driving test. Such measures included, for a fifth or subsequent permit, an increase in the cost of the permit; a decrease in the duration of a permit; a requirement to take mandatory lessons with an approved driving instructor and a requirement to take a driving test before another permit can be issued. The objective is to make it a disincentive to rely long term on a learner permit. These measures took account of the shorter wait times for tests and the increased tester resources that were available to the RSA at the end of 2019.
The RSA proposals were examined, but due to the caretaker Government in place earlier this year, it was not possible to make policy changes. Since then, urgent measures introduced to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic have taken precedence.
The proposals will need to be re-examined in light of current conditions. The cessation of services in March 2020 and recent resumption of car driver testing services from 16 July, has led to a backlog of people awaiting driving tests. The RSA is currently dealing with people in order of priority i.e. essential workers and those who had tests cancelled. Therefore, it would be prudent to delay any changes to regulations to make it mandatory for long term permit holders to sit a test until the driving test service has stabilised. The position will be kept under review.
