60k ‘credit card’ licences on roads despite delays

Almost 60,000 credit card driving licences are now in use since the system went live at the start of the year.

The Road Safety Authority said more than 2,000 plastic licences are being issued per day, despite hitches that have resulted in delays of up to five weeks in some counties.

“There have been some initial technical difficulties in the first few weeks of the transition from the old, paper-based driving licence to the new EU-style plastic card driving licences,” said an RSA spokesperson. “The technical issues related to delays in data transfer, poor quality photographs and sizing of application forms printed by some customers.

“We are now issuing over 2,000 plastic card licences per day and since the new system went live on January 19, in excess of 59,000 new plastic driving licences cards have been issued.”

The RSA has overallresponsibility for the delivery of the system, but local authority motor tax offices will continue to process applications until Sept 2013.

The figures were released by the RSA as it responded to complaints that drivers in some areas face inordinate delays in getting licences.

Motorists in Co Donegal are being told they could be without a licence for up to five weeks.

However, the Insurance Industry Federation said drivers facing such delays are still covered by their insurance.

“Motor insurance policies cover you if you hold a licence or, having held a licence, you are not disqualified from holding one,” said IIF non-life insurance manager Michael Horan.

“You cannot penalise the innocent victim of a road crash because the driver is waiting for their licence to be issued.”

Meanwhile, the RSA urged people to submit applications in good time. Applications for licences or learner permits can be submitted up to three months before their expire.

“Our apologies for any inconvenience to our customers and we are confident any backlogs will be dealt with as quickly as possible,” said the RSA spokesperson.