Driving test delays
Mattie McGrath highlighted long waiting times for driving tests and the impact on work, college and rural mobility, saying rehiring retired testers was welcome but not enough. The Taoiseach said he would pursue the matter with the Minister to see if it could be expedited.
I wish to ask about driving tests. There are 92,576 people waiting for driver tests. The current waiting period is 25 to 30 weeks. Prior to Covid, it was 19 weeks. This is not fair on people, be they young or older. I understand from the Minister that 16 retired testers are being rehired. While that is welcome, we need radical and seismic action. I believe it was the former Minister, Mr. Sylvester Barrett, who gave out licences in 1979 because of the delays. People cannot go to work, recreational activities or college. It is a major impediment in rural Ireland in particular. Under the RSA, people must take 12 lessons. If they are competent lessons, then they should give people the authority to say that they are now proficient at driving. Something must be done for this cohort of people.
