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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Driving test backlog

Summary

Mattie McGrath described severe delays in driving tests, especially in rural areas, and asked where promised testers were. The Taoiseach said the backlog was legitimate, would speak to the Minister and the Road Safety Authority, and noted reforms had already been decided.

The driving test situation is appalling. There are 81,000 people on a waiting list. Many of them are in my county of Tipperary. There is only one tester in the town of Clonmel, which is a large town with a huge hinterland. This is causing enormous strain for families who now have to accompany drivers with L plates. Those drivers cannot get apprenticeships. I know many young people who have got jobs but must have a licence. There is one tester. We were told last year that 75 new testers were being appointed. I want to know where they are. I want more appointed in rural areas because we do not have the DART, Luas or other forms of public transport. People are hindered. The RSA has made a pure hames of this. It should be taken out of the hands of the RSA, which should just look after road safety and not driver testing or the issuing of licences. It is in it for the money, I think. It is miserable to have one tester in a town the size of Clonmel. People are doing their lessons, paying that expense and doing their best to get on the road to get to work, college and everything else, but there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Comment on this

The Deputy raised a very legitimate issue in terms of the testing backlog, which has been there for quite some time. I will speak to the Minister again in terms of talking to the Road Safety Authority. Decisions have been taken on reform of the driver testing aspect and responsibility for that. I will talk to the Minister again, given the urgency of this.

Comment on this