Learner tests on target with 147,000 completed

MORE than 147,000 provisional licence holders have sat a driving test in the past five months as part of a big effort to clear the backlog of people awaiting the test before stricter motoring rules come into effect in July.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) confirmed yesterday that it had met its target of providing 120,000 tests for learner drivers by the end of March.

The ambitious deadline was set by the RSA last October after Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey was forced to postpone the Government’s plans for major reform of the driving licence system.

The RSA’s proposals to enforce the rules that outlawed provisional licence holders on their second permit from driving unaccompanied provoked outcry and strong resistance from backbench TDs.

The RSA said a total of 147,090 tests were sat by learner drivers between November 3 and April 4. Another 15,000 applicants had been offered a driving test during this period but failed to sit the test.

More than 122,000 L-plate motorists had been on the waiting list when the controversy erupted in October.

However, waiting times for driving tests have fallen dramatically in the past 12 months as the RSA promised that any second provisional licence holder who applied for a test would be offered one by the end of next June.

But because estimated pass rates for the test are just over 50%, it is believed many drivers will still face restrictions from July.

An RSA spokesperson said the average waiting time nationally was just over 13 weeks with 79,300 people still awaiting tests.

The longest waiting time is currently 22 weeks for people awaiting tests in Clifden and Tuam. Other centres with long waiting times include Castlebar, Loughrea, Shannon, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Thurles, Waterford, Churchtown, Rathgar, and Gorey.

Test centres at Athlone, Ballina, Carrick-on-Shannon, Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Finglas and Raheny have the shortest waiting time at just five weeks.

An additional 87,000 drivers are awaiting tests that have been out-sourced to an independent tester, SGS, as part of the plan to clear waiting lists.

Meanwhile, the National Roads Authority will today launch a public awareness campaign about its barrier-free tolling system that will come into effect on the Westlink section of the M50 in August.

The system, known as eFlow, will enable drivers to pass through the toll at normal speed limits without having to slow down.

However, it will require motorists to select from a number of payment methods in order to avoid large fines.

Drivers who pre-register will benefit from lower rates, while non-registered users who do not pay the toll by 8pm the following day will have to pay the standard rates plus a fee.