I raised again with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the need for an orderly and appropriate resumption of driver theory tests, driving lessons and driving tests.
Many of the people waiting for driving tests need their full licence to enable them get to work by themselves. The present situation impacts severely on young people and those living in rural areas where there is very limited public transport.
Large numbers of young people had planned to do the theory test, get the learner permit and the necessary follow up driving lessons over the summer months.
Below are replies by Minister Ross to the most recent Parliamentary Questions I tabled in Dáil Éireann on these important issues.
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For Written Answer on : 03/06/2020
Question Number(s): 952 Question Reference(s): 9247/20
Department: Transport, Tourism and Sport
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with representatives of driving schools and driving instructors in relation to the necessary preparations and systems to be put in place to enable resumption of driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Both my Department and the Road Safety Authority, the body responsible for licensing and inspecting driving instruction in Ireland, have been engaging with queries from individual instructors and schools on an ongoing basis since the introduction of public health restrictions in March.
I should clarify to the Deputy, however that at this point neither the Department nor the Authority have been formally approached by industry representatives on the matter.
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For Written Answer on : 03/06/2020
Question Number(s): 953 Question Reference(s): 9248/20
Department: Transport, Tourism and Sport
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when it is proposed to have driver theory tests and driver tests resumed; the measures in place to date to facilitate this resumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. If it is the case that the NDLS centres have not re-opened before the extension period expires, the possibility of a further extension will be examined.
The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives.
The resumption of driver testing raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the Protocol and in particular social distancing rules, as it requires the driver tester and the candidate to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes, in a very confined space which is not in itself a workplace under the control of the RSA.
I appreciate that the inability to carry out driving tests is among the many difficulties that we all are having to endure at this time, for those awaiting such tests. On a very preliminary appraisal of the Protocol, car driving tests may have to be the last of the statutory functions, for which the RSA is responsible, to recommence in or after Phase 5 of the Government’s roadmap.
Driver theory tests are also currently suspended. Although the contractor is making plans to clear the inevitable backlog of applications, a date has not yet been confirmed as to when their offices can reopen, and they will only do so when they can ensure that all Covid-19 related restrictions in place at that time can be strictly adhered to.
It is not possible to carry out the driver theory tests remotely online, as it is vital that the identify of the candidate can be established, and that there is no possibility of fraud in relation to the test itself.
Dates for the resumption of the RSA’s services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, whether from infection or from deaths and injuries on the road, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.