Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

An extra 120 overtime tests per driver tester who participates have been delivered. To date, 6,600 extra tests were delivered in the six months to the end of March 2018. There has been a reduction in the number of applicant no-shows at driving tests. The RSA contacts applicants it identifies, from previous behaviour, as being likely to not show. In other words, people who have not shown up before are telephoned by the RSA and asked if they are going to show up. If they say they are not going to show up, which happens in a lot of cases, the RSA can fill these places with people who have an urgent need for a test for work or other reasons. In cases where an applicant states that it is his or her intention not to attend, the RSA, with the prior agreement of the applicant, cancels the appointment and offers it to another applicant who has indicated a need for an urgent driving test. Measures taken have reduced the number of no-shows by almost half in recent months. There has been a reduction in the number of non-conducted driving tests. Currently, 4% of driving tests do not proceed on the day because of various faults or issues with either the vehicle presented or the necessary documentation. This is despite applicants being fully informed in advance of all requirements. The RSA communicates with test applicants via text messaging and applicants' approved driving instructors and provides some key messages about the requirements closer to test appointment dates in an effort to reduce non-conducted driving tests.

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