Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a significant waiting list for driver theory tests for the C licence which is preventing persons from taking up truck driving jobs; if the need for a mandatory theory test will be temporarily removed in order to apply for a learner permit due to Covid-19; if he will consider exempting those who have previously passed their theory test but have allowed their licence to expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27844/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Driver Theory Testing Service, in line with many other state agencies, has seen an increased demand for its services since resuming operations following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, the service saw its capacity reduced by 50% to comply with occupational and public health requirements. Inevitably, there is now a backlog of theory tests.

The Road  Safety Authority is currently engaging with the service provider to maximise capacity within existing constraints.  They will be opening on additional days (at some centres) and extended hours will also be provided at differnet centres to allow additional capacity for appointments. Capacity is now back to levels comparable with last year but clearing the backlog will take time.

Those whose appointments were cancelled by the RSA due to the Covid-19 situation will have first priority. Priority then will be given in order of application date. 

The theory test is a requirement of EU law and I, as Minister, do not have the power to make exceptions to this legislation.

Following the suspension of the Driver Theory Testing Service in March 2020, my predecessor signed regulations in to law so that certificates issued on passing the driver theory test had their period of validity extended. Certificates that were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive, had their period of validity extended by 4 months. This extension does not apply to driver theory test certificates that expired before the 01 March 2020 or after 30 June 2020. I have no plans at this time to extend further the validity date of driver theory test certificates, in light of the foregoing.