Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

We must welcome any measure which helps to standardise and bring driving tests under one uniform regulatory body. It is also welcome if it helps address some of the more common complaints relating to the test. The Irish driving test is internationally regarded as one of the most difficult, as proven by the large number of people, currently 54%, who fail on their first attempt. The issue of differences between various centres could also be examined. It might be anecdotal evidence but people who sit the test always talk in terms of which days are worse. Is it down to the quality of the test and the people sitting it? There is a belief that testers must fail a certain amount of people per week.

It is good that drivers must prove themselves competent before receiving a full licence. Statistics relating to road deaths prove that too many accidents and deaths are caused by fault on the part of one or more drivers. However, most of these are probably unrelated to the standards required to pass the test, especially when people are driving at high speed or have consumed too much alcohol. The solution to this lies mainly outside the scope of the test.

Many complaints regarding the test concern what people believe to be technical demands which drivers are unlikely to meet in real life. Perhaps, as part of this review of how the system works, we could take another look at the content of the test to ensure it relates more closely to the basic necessities of driving. If somebody is competent in those skills it is unfair that they should fail because they are unable to execute a more difficult manoeuvre to the satisfaction of the tester.

Other Deputies referred to the NCT. One need only go to an NCT centre to see people who are worried sick in case their car does not pass. People do not talk to each other and there is not a happy atmosphere. The driving test can be very nerve racking. Deputy Shortall mentioned the issue of gender, and it can be more worrying for a woman to get into a car with a strange man. There is also the issue of the driver asking the tester to clarify something and the tester being reluctant to answer because he or she is not supposed to get involved in a discussion. The atmosphere surrounding the test is an issue which could be considered.

There is a regular complaint regarding the long period of time it takes to get a test. The current average waiting time is eight months, and in some cases much longer. It depends on the area in which one lives. I have heard of some people who were given an initial indication that their test would be in three months, only to be later informed they would have to wait a further three or four months. There are big differences in the time one must wait depending on the part of the country in which one lives. This relates to the number of testers available. According to the Department's statistics supplied in a recent reply to a parliamentary question, there are currently 114 testers compared to 97 at the beginning of 2000. Some areas with high demand have not experienced an increase which is reflected in longer waiting times. This is a particular problem in the south west where Limerick and Killarney have one less tester and Tralee still has two. Perhaps the authority or Minister could examine this when looking at resources.

What powers will the authority have with regard to those engaged in commercial teaching of drivers to prepare them for the test? Will it devise a standard teaching system which requires that driving instructors are subject to an acceptable standard? The issue of standardisation for driving teachers has been raised and there is a need for clarity. The authority could also examine the conditions under which some instructors are employed. While some of this is more properly a matter for the Department responsible for working conditions, safety issues are involved. A driving instructor in my area told me he was working up to 11 hours per day. That would not be acceptable for any driver in a commercial concern, and it is doubly unacceptable when a person instructing another is suffering from the effects of long hours. They are out on a public highway and will not be able to competently show anybody the rules of the road. They are possibly half asleep. It is not acceptable and there is a need for regulation.

The changes to the test in line with EU regulation, as recently announced by the Minister, appear straightforward and require a minimum basic understanding on the part of the driver regarding how to check oil levels, the working of indicators and so on. The more familiar a person is with his or her vehicle the more competent he or she will be and it will contribute to safety.

The introduction of speed limits in kilometres rather than miles has caused some controversy. It is similar to the introduction of the euro when people experienced something of a culture shock. However, the adjustment to kilometres will be a central part of both driving lessons and tests.

With regard to the Bill, perhaps the Minister could clarify a number of issues regarding the appointment of the board and the chief executive of the authority. Section 12(iv) cites the criteria for membership which includes a broad and comprehensive range of experience in areas related to all aspects for which the authority is responsible. However, it does not make clear the procedure with which the Minister will select members. I listened to Deputy Eamon Ryan's points regarding the boards. When we have a problem we set up a board or an agency to sort it out. Will the positions be advertised so as to allow open competition and public scrutiny? How will the board be appointed?

Clarification is required with regard to the issue of driving instructors. We need more testers, and figures suggest that numbers have not significantly increased in recent years. There is a crisis and the waiting list, which was at 230,000, is increasing. In particular, it is affecting young people who are awaiting driving tests. Many young people who do not have access to public transport face crazy car insurance costs. The only way to shorten the waiting time for driving tests is to hire additional testers.

A previous speaker referred to people who drive to the testing centre, fail their test and then drive away. It is a crazy system which makes nonsense of the law and represents one of the low points of the testing system since people can drive away with a failure notice.

The quality standards are currently unacceptable and must be improved. I welcome the proposed establishment of the driver testing and standards authority but its narrow remit will have to be widened. The number of learner drivers on the roads is unacceptable but we cannot reduce the numbers until we have more testers.

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