Written answers

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Driver Test

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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765. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidelines in relation to learner drivers, particularly those who have completed twelve driving lessons and have had their tests cancelled; if such drivers will be allowed to drive unaccompanied for a period of time; the number of persons awaiting driver tests; the timeframe to clear the back log; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7374/20]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.

Studies have repeatedly shown that unaccompanied learner drivers are markedly more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. For that reason, there can be no exceptions to the current laws in force around learner drivers. Regrettably, there has been an increase in fatalities on our roads so far in 2020, and we must not relax the standards required of our drivers before being awarded a driving licence, even in the case of frontline workers.

An unaccompanied learner driver who is stopped by an Garda Siochana may face penalty points, a fixed charge, seizure of the vehicle and possible prosecution.

Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months.

The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives.

The resumption of driver testing will be of particular concern to learner drivers. As the Deputy will appreciate, the driving test raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the Protocol and in particular social distancing rules, as it requires the driver tester and the candidate to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes, in a very confined space which is not in itself a workplace under the control of the RSA.

I appreciate that the inability to carry out driving tests at this time is among the many difficulties that we all are having to endure at this time, for those awaiting such tests. On a very preliminary appraisal of the Protocol, car driving tests may have to be the last of the statutory functions, for which the RSA is responsible, to recommence in or after Phase 5 of the Government's roadmap.

Dates for the resumption of the RSA's services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities. Our first priority must continue to be protecting the lives and health of our citizens as well as the capacity of the emergency and health services, whether from infection or from death and injury on the roads.

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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766. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the way in which driver testing capacity can be resumed here; the way in which he will address the inevitable backlog in driver tests and sensitive cases for expedited tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7384/20]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of public services for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol agreed by employer and trade union representatives. As the Deputy will appreciate, the driving test raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the protocol and, in particular, social distancing rules, as it requires the driver tester and the candidate to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes, in a very confined space which is not in itself a workplace under the control of the RSA.

I appreciate that the inability to carry out driving tests at this time is inconvenient to those awaiting such tests. On a very preliminary appraisal of the Protocol, car driving tests may have to be the last of the statutory functions, for which the RSA is responsible, to recommence in or after Phase 5 of the Government's roadmap .

Dates for the resumption of the RSA's services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.

The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.

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