Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
226. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents who are awaiting their full driving test are now unable to drive their children to school in certain areas of rural County Clare; if contingency plans have been put in place to expedite these urgent licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53058/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I appreciate that the requirement to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver may be logistically challenging for learner drivers in rural communities, it has been an offence for a learner to drive without appropriate supervision since 2007.
The driving test sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
Until a learner has successfully passed the test, they are not in a position to apply for a driving licence.
The driver testing service must operate under restrictions in the interests of making it safe in the context of the continuing presence of Covid. Given the necessity for a tester to be in close proximity to a test candidate, and to get into vehicles brought by the candidates which are therefore not a controlled environment, this places limits on the capacity of the test service.
The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for tests. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. These new testers have completed their training and are now conducting live tests since July 2021.
When the service resumed in June 2020, testers were conducting five tests each per day. Since 27 September 2021, this has been increased to seven tests per tester per day.
An extra 10 temporary test centres have been opened and a further 9 locations have been expanded within the existing premises, to accommodate more testers.
