Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will designate the driver theory test as essential in order that it can open up for applicants. [29550/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres will commence after the 7th of June. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) will reopen its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.

Prior to COVID-19, the RSA provided 15,000 tests per month. In light of the significant backlog of customers, the RSA will gradually increase capacity in its test centres to 25,000 tests a month.

The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests per month over time, if public health guidance permits.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests.

The new offering will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles per month. Tests are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis with the new online service becoming more widely available later in the year. Once the online service is established, all customers will be able to opt to do the test online.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an applicant who had a physical driver theory test is able to swap it for an online theory test; and if he will approve the RSA online plan. [29551/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The RSA has been working to deliver an online service, with a pilot online test underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests.

The new offering online will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles per month. Tests are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis with the new online service becoming more widely available later in the year. Once the online service is fully established, all customers will be able to opt to do the test online. It is not possible to swap a physical theory test for an online test.

I can confirm that if someone books an online appointment and already has a booking for a physical appointment, the system automatically transfers the booking and they don’t end up with a double booking. In effect, capacity will be freed up in the physical centres if someone switches to online.