L-plate test overhaul unlikely before 2008
Official sources have acknowledged that compulsory training for provisional licence holders cannot be introduced before regulating the country’s driving instructors.
A new, formal register for people qualified to give driving lessons will not be established until July 2007 and will not be fully running until summer 2008.
One senior road safety expert said: “It would be a case of putting the cart before the horse if there was any attempt to introduce mandatory lessons in advance of the driving instructors’ register.”
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has already signalled his intention to require L-drivers to undergo a series of lessons from approved instructors as part of a wide-ranging package of measures to reform the driving licence system.
It is estimated that just 20% of motorists take lessons with professional instructors before sitting the driving test. In contrast, many other EU countries require young drivers to attend a series of formal lessons before even being issued with a provisional licence.
Mr Cullen’s predecessor Seamus Brennan had proposed a similar measure which would oblige learner drivers to undertake a series of 10 lessons before being allowed to sit a driving test. However, it was not implemented due to the lack of regulation of driving inspectors.
It is believed there are more than 400 driving instructors operating in the Republic with no formal qualifications.
The Road Safety Authority has sent recommendations to Mr Cullen this week which outline proposals designed to place restrictions on learner drivers and those who have just passed their driving test.
They are believed to include limits on the speed, engine capacity and alcohol levels allowed for inexperienced motorists compared to existing licence holders.
An RSA spokesperson said one of its immediate priorities would be measures designed to reduce the backlog waiting to sit their driving tests.
However, some road safety stakeholders are concerned that not enough emphasis is being placed on the education and training of young drivers, while other measures are being proposed which will place a greater reliance on increased garda enforcement.
Des Cummins of the Driving Instructors Register, which represents 1,400 driving instructors, criticised the driver theory and practical tests as “too easy”. He branded the expanded driver theory test as useless, while adding that the updated rules of the road are “still out of date”.
“There is no joined-up thinking in the approach to educating young motorists,” said Mr Cummins.
He pointed out that driving testers rarely got to examine the performance of people sitting the test at speeds in excess of 60km/h because most tests centres were located in built-up urban areas.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mr Cullen said there were no problems with regard to the legislation governing the ban on some provisional licence holders from driving unaccompanied. It follows reports that prosecutions for the offence are being struck out in the courts.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
