Ms Yvonne Kinnarney:

The training is voluntary. In some parts of the UK there is compulsory training whereby drivers are requested, on foot of continuous infringements, to retrain. We would envisage that training here would be compulsory so drivers would have an opt-in choice in the context of whether they want to do it. If drivers want points to remain on their licences, they can do so and then allow them to run out after a three-year period. As stated, it would be an opt-in and drivers would take ownership and responsibility for what they have done and, therefore, they would choose to undergo training to improve their driving.

To reiterate what Mr. Farrell stated, as with the current essential driver training, EDT, syllabus, the ADI unit has facilities. The driver details are logged on the RSA portal. That means each individual lesson is logged, individual drivers can access the portal and they are also given feedback on their reports. The training provider can also access the portal to see what areas have been covered. In the context of it being compulsory, the onus would be on a driver to take responsibility for what he or she has done and re-educate himself or herself. From the ages of 17 to 70, unless it is in a professional capacity, there is no retraining for drivers.

Our training would also complement what is being discussed here today. At present, the RSA approvers ADI instructors to train young trained drivers to attain category B licences. ADI instructors only holds category B licences. We propose that our trainers would hold category B licences plus licences to drive trucks or buses in order that they might become educated as to the capabilities of work vehicles and HGVs on the road. In my opinion, and from what I have learned from delivering training for the driver certificate of professional competence, CPC, the trainer also needs to have that experience. As Ms Murphy said earlier, some trainers do not have the qualification. I am of the view that training needs to be put in place to re-educate car drivers and educate them on what happens on roads and on how work vehicles and HGVs work and their capabilities. A car driver will not understand what happens when a large vehicle turns left because he or she may not have been told about it when he or she was taught to drive. The voluntary aspect would be that the onus should be on the driver to undergo training in order to re-educated.