Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a provision will be made for the renewal of driver licences online for persons over 70 years of age with no pre-existing medical conditions in view of the advice for them to reduce contacts. [26327/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As part of the measures put forward to cater for issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, regulations were introduced to provide for the removal of the requirement for persons over 70 years of age, who do not have an identified or specified illness, to provide a medical report when applying for or renewing a driving licence beginning on the 20 March and ending on 31 December 2020.

The current driving licence online application system does not allow applications that require supporting documentation.  Although the requirement to submit a medical report has been removed for those over 70 years of age, the online system has not yet been amended to accommodate this change.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types.

Those who are over 70 and who are renewing a one year licence, can do so by post. Further information on the process can be had by emailing info@ndls.ie 

I would like to reassure the Deputy that the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres have been assessed and procedures have been put in place to align with the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocols.  Appropriate signage, sanitation and handwashing, and social distancing measures such as reduced seating in waiting areas and customer touchpoint cleansing have been introduced.  Customers are accompanied into and out of centres and are required to adhere to necessary health and safety guidelines.