Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) who applied for their driver test in July 2020 and has complied with everything requested of them by the RSA has still has not received a date for their test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4547/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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While this is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, I understand the RSA are experiencing some operating problems following the launch of their new Driving Test System and Customer Portal. This is due to exceptionally high levels of demand which in turn is increasing call volumes.

My Department raised these problems with the RSA. We have been assured the technical issues are gradually being resolved and the Authority have put extra resources in place in their call centre. My Department will continue to monitor the operations of the RSA, while having regard to their statutory competence.

Due to the current Level 5 restrictions driving tests are only availalbe for essential workers.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make the driver theory test available online during the current Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4621/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My Department had previously requested that the Road Safety Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely and what is required to do so.

I am pleased to inform you that the Driver Theory Test service has recently launched a pilot phase of a new initiative, which offers a Remote Testing service for specific categories of Theory Test (C, D, CD, BMT, TMT, ADI, CPCB, CPCT).

During the pilot phase Remote Testing will be available on a limited basis and extra capacity will be added as it is rolled out to allow more customers to sit their bus, truck, CPC or ADI Theory Test online. Remote Testing allows candidates to test from their home or another suitable environment once the minimum requirements for the service have been met.

Following a review of the pilot phase, I understand the RSA expect the initiative to be extended for car and motorcycles.

The RSA are keen to progress and extend the service to all categories of Driver Theory Test, however scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.