Written answers

Thursday, 14 January 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Driver Licences

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to reintroduce temporary changes to the driver licence renewal system to facilitate over 70s, such as a person (details supplied) who are currently unable to supply a medical certificate as their doctors are only dealing with medical emergencies and Covid-19 cases; and the specific steps applicants may take to overcome this difficulty. [1954/21]

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the suspension of the requirement for a medical report when reviewing a driver licence to allow the most vulnerable to stay home and protect themselves from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1980/21]

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to ensure over 70s can renew their driver licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1988/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 27 and 28 together.

At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 the requirement for persons over 70 (without an identified or specified illness) to provide a medical report was exempted until the 31 July 2020. This exemption was further extended in July to cover the period from the 1 August until the 31 December 2020.  Due to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, the Minister has amended the relevant regulations to provide for a further extension until 30 June 2021.

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the emergency measures he plans to introduce in order that senior citizens and others can safely renew their driving licence during the Covid-19 pandemic. [1955/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 the requirement for persons over 70 (without an identified or specified illness) to provide a medical report was exempted until the 31 July 2020, this exemption was extended from the 1 August until the 31 December 2020.  Due to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases my Department has provided for a further extension until 30 June 2021.

All persons of 70 years of age and over are also now invited to renew their driving licence or learner permit by post. Applicants will be contacted directly by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Previously only those aged 70 and over who renew their licence on a yearly basis could avail of this service.

The safest way for anyone to renew their driving licence is online.  The Road Safety Authority (RSA) , through the NDLS, has expanded the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit applications to enable accessibility online rather than by calling to an office. A verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Services Card, is needed to access the online system.

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes he has agreed at a local or European level for applicants to obtain a new or first-time Irish driver licence during the Covid-19 lockdown in view of the ongoing challenges facing those looking to renew or receive a new or first-time drivers licence in physically presenting for the test or with the form. [1956/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and their providers to continue to operate the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) through the Covid-19 crisis, while keeping both staff and the public as safe as possible. New initiatives have been introduced to create additional capacity through a combination of additional staff, extended and additional operating hours (i.e. Sundays where needed), and the provision of overtime. Under level 5 restrictions essential workers can continue to attend the NDLS centres in person, if they have an appointment, to apply for or renew their driving licence.

The RSA has also expanded the current online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit applications. A verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Services Card, is needed to access the online system.

All persons of 70 years of age and over are now invited to renew their driving licence or learner permit by post, freeing up capacity at the NDLS and reducing the need for more vulnerable members of society to attend the offices in person.

The  Driver Theory Test service (which has been deemed by Government to be non-essential) has launched a pilot phase of a new initiative, which offers a Remote Testing service for specific categories of Theory Test.  Following a review of the pilot phase, the RSA expect the initiative to be extended for car and motorcycles in the future.

Under Covid-19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from 31 December 2020, candidates can attend their scheduled driving test appointment provided they are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets can be found at www.gov.ie.

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