Written answers

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Driver Test

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average wait times to complete a theory test and driving test at the Castlebar and Ballina NDLS centres, County Mayo; and the steps his Department and the RSA are taking to address this backlog. [43995/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Specific details on waiting times for driver tests and theory tests are held by the Road Safety Authority.  I have therefore referred this part of the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within 10 days.

Due to suspension of driver testing services in the first 2020 lockdown, along with the health protocols since resumption of service and the further curtailing of services during subsequent level 5 restrictions, a significant backlog has developed.

Since last October, the driver testing service has been prioritising essential workers. Since May 2021, the Road Safety Authority has been returning to delivering tests for all customers, while continuing to prioritise critical frontline workers. This means, in the interest of fairness, the RSA targeted test appointments to those waiting longest who are ready and eligible to take the test.

 The service continues to operate under restrictions in the interest of making it safe while there is an ongoing presence of Covid.

In order to deal with the backlog, the Road Safety Authority received sanction to hire 40 new temporary testers, in addition to 36 they were sanctioned to retain or rehire in 2020. These new testers have completed their training and are now conducting live tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a further 40.

The Road Safety Authority  is also looking to increase the number of tests to 7 per tester per day from late September 2021, subject to compliance with health protocols.  

The gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced from 8 June. The RSA and its service provider has put plans in place to significantly increase capacity. The number of tests provided has increased from an average pre Covid19 level of 15,000 to over 25,000 appointments monthly. Almost 50,000 tests were provided during the month of August. 

The RSA have also been working to extend its online theory test. The new offering will see up to 10,000 online tests available per month. The online service will become more widely available later this year.  

It is disappointing that 1 in 6 customers are failing to show up for their Theory Test. The RSA would ask any customer unable to attend their test to let the service know in good time so the appointment can be re-allocated.

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