Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Transport the facilities that are available for persons with literacy problems to apply for a driving licence and to take the driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10319/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since 11 June 2001 all applications for a first provisional licence must be accompanied by a driver theory test certificate.

The specification which the contractor operating the driver theory test is obliged to meet provides for the delivery of a user-friendly computerised theory testing system and requires that candidates with special needs be provided for. This includes the provision of reading assistance and voice-over audio with an extended time slot for the test.

The test is based on a question bank, which has been developed, inter alia, in consultation with the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties and the National Adult Literacy Agency. The question bank is available in book format or as a CD which includes voice-over audio.

The test standard applies to all candidates and special allowances cannot be made in any particular case regardless of the circumstances.

In the case of the practical driving test, where a candidate notifies my Department of the existence of a disability, it is the practice to assign the test to a supervisory driver tester who has more time to conduct the test.