The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), resumed services in June, following the closure of the centres due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. However, it is not possible to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers. Therefore, all appointments must be booked in advance. This, of course, has led to an increase in the demand for appointments.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working with their providers to see how they can create the additional capacity needed as quickly as possible, while adhering to the return to work protocol. Options being introduced include a combination of additional staff, extended and additional operating hours (i.e. Sundays where needed), and the provision of overtime.
The NDLS booking system is undergoing software changes to cater for the expanded booking window associated with the additional NDLS appointment slots, with testing commencing this week.
The introduction of these steps may help ease some of the pressure on the NDLS, free up appointment slots and make it easier to find those slots at local centres. The RSA is continuing work with my Department to expand the current online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types. Once the necessary legal amendments are in place, this should greatly reduce appointment delays.
Currently, applications by post can be made by persons over the age of 70 with one year licences, but the RSA is examining how the postal system might be expanded to handle greater numbers of postal applications.
