Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the delays professional public service drivers are experiencing in terms of getting out on the road due to the time lag between applying for a test and the test date, combined with the average time it takes to process a CPC card after a driver successfully completes the test. [8304/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the National Driving Test. In this capacity, the Authority deals with all test applications and scheduling matters.

However, I understand that the Authority has been engaging with the Public Service Operators and their trainees' applications are being prioritised given the current driver shortages.

In relation to the Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) card, a driver must complete the initial qualification to apply for a CPC card. This involves a theory test, a case study theory test, driving test and walk around test. The theory tests can be completed together and the walk around test can be completed on the same day as the driving test.

The driver must have the new licence category on their driving licence, which takes on average 5 working days to process, before applying to the RSA for their CPC driver qualification card. I am informed that the average processing time for a qualification card is 7 to 14 working days.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will authorise the issuing of a temporary 31-day CPC card to drivers who successfully complete their professional driving test in order to get newly qualified bus drivers out on the road serving local communities quicker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8305/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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A truck or bus driver must complete the initial qualification in order to apply for a Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) card. This involves a theory test, a case study theory test, a driving test and walk around test. The theory tests can be completed together and the walk around and driving tests can be completed on the same day. The driver must have the new licence category on their driving licence, which takes on average 5 working days to process, before applying to the Road Safety Authority for their CPC card. The average processing time for a qualification card is 7 to 14 working days, and the card is valid for 5 years. There is no provision in legislation for issuing a temporary CPC card.