Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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823. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting time for a practical driver test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Driver Testing Service has seen an increase of almost 20% in the levels of driving test applications over the last four years. I accept that current waiting times remain too high. The Road Safety Authority currently employs 103 driver testers. My Department has sanctioned an additional 28 Driver Testers since October 2016, and to date 23 are now conducting driving tests. The remaining 5 testers will be recruited in the coming months.  The RSA is examining the long term requirements for driver tester numbers to ensure that the Authority can meet future demand.

The Authority is currently undertaking other initiatives in order to increase capacity to deliver extra driving tests. These initiatives include:

- The delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester who participates. To date, 55 driver testers have committed to the delivery of the extra tests and it is expected that this will yield at least 6,600 extra tests up to March 2018.

- A reduction in the number of applicant no-shows at the driving test. Some 6,709 applicants have been contacted, with 1,386 tests that would have been lost due to no-shows being cancelled in advance instead. The tests in this instance have been made available for other test applicants.

- A reduction in non-conducted driving tests. The RSA communicates with test applicants, via text-messaging and via applicants’ Approved Driving Instructors, some key messages on the vehicle and document requirements closer to test appointment dates in an effort to reduce non-conducted driving tests.

- A new Driving Test Booking System. The RSA plans to introduce a new test booking system that will give test applicants much more control over their booking and appointment choice. A request for tender has been published and it is envisaged that the new system will be in place by late 2018 or early 2019.

I am assured that the measures the Authority has put in place will have the desired effect of reducing waiting times to the public.