Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

They may defer the test and then cancel it later in the year and do so every year. As the IT system is such a shambles, that driving test slot is simply lost. Those slots should be filled by people genuinely trying to pass a test and get their full licence as quickly as possible. This loophole means that provisional licence holders need never take a driving test and can drive legally for the rest of their lives. My amendment refers to "reasonable steps". Obviously some people will occasionally need to cancel for genuine reasons such as being sick. However, I am referring to the people who cancel twice a year or every year. That practice must be brought to an end. Unless the Minister agrees to the amendment, he is saying it is acceptable to have a system in which a provisional licence holder need never take a driving test in their lives.

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