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.

Despite 360,000 provisional drivers on Irish roads, only 158,741 tests were carried out nationwide last year. The figure does not include bus or truck drivers who are also on provisional driving licences. Many of the motorists also have no intention or never will apply for a full driving licence. But with failure rates still at an all-time high, the RSA intends tackling failed drivers who are forced to do their tests again.

A group of 127 testers directly employed by the RSA plan to conduct 197,620 driving tests this year. SGS Ireland, who run the National Car Test, also pledge to carry out another 40,000 tests, after completing 6,000 last year. This private company is targeting large centres with the biggest backlog of motorists waiting to sit tests.

In addition to these two groups of testers, the RSA recently put out to tender for a company to carry out an additional 100,000 tests. This will be decided by the summer.

The total amount means road safety chiefs expect to at least double test numbers this year, if necessary. The increase in test numbers also looks necessary.

At present, waiting times for tests have fallen to an average of around 28 weeks, from a high of 62 weeks. However, this will be cancelled out if motorists continue to arrive for tests and fail them in large numbers.