Doubling driving test numbers aimed at beating backlog

AS hundreds of motorists daily continue to fail their driving tests, road safety chiefs are pledging to more than double test numbers this year.

New figures show on average that more than 200 provisional drivers every day are flunking their tests. Pass rates vary considerably, as much as 23%, meaning motorists in some parts of the country stand a better chance at getting their full licence than others.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) says it has been handed €10 million by Transport Minister Martin Cullen to beat the backlog of motorists waiting for their test, including the thousands who resit them.