Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport Darren O’Rourke TD has called on the RSA and Minister for Transport to amend rules which are preventing essential workers sitting their driving tests.

The Meath East TD said:

“As it stands, learner drivers, who are essential workers, cannot complete their mandatory EDT lessons if they do not have a driving test booked, but they cannot book a driving test without completing the 12 mandatory EDT lessons.

“It is a catch-22 that is causing serious issues for essential workers who need to sit their driving test to get to and from work.

“It means only learner drivers who have completed all their lessons, prior to Level 5, can now sit a driving test.

“In terms of lessons, only those with all their lessons already complete, qualify for one pre-test lesson.

“Obviously we need to ensure driving testers and approved driving instructors are protected during the ongoing pandemic, but we also need to ensure essential workers can get to work.

“Driving is an absolute essential for people, but this rule is preventing thousands of people obtaining their license.

“Figures we have received show 92,210 people are now waiting to sit a driving test. This rule is only adding to the backlog.

“Minister Ryan needs to work with ADIs, their unions and the RSA to get this problem resolved.

“In addition, the driver theory test is still suspended, causing further delays for those learning to drive.

“Sinn Féin have also called for online driver theory tests to be extended to all categories of learner drivers, to help deal with the growing backlog of those learning to drive.

“The Driver Theory Test Service are currently providing remote theory tests for bus, truck, CPC and ADI categories. This is a welcome development, but it is essential this is now expanded to those learning to drive a car.”