Fewer ‘no shows’ for driving tests

The number of driving test “no shows” has been slashed under the new Essential Driver Training regime, while the pass rate has also improved, figures show.

Statistics provided to the Irish Examiner by the Road Safety Authority show that the mandatory training programme — which incorporates 12 lessons before sitting the test — has meant that the no-show rate has plummeted.

Fewer than 2% of driving test candidates who have undergone the EDT since it was introduced in Apr 2011 failed to turn up for the test, compared with 17% of non-EDT candidates who failed to turn up for their tests in the same period. It means 1,074 EDT candidates failed to turn up for their test, compared with 53,399 no-shows among non-EDT candidates.

In 2013 pass rates for EDT candidates stand at 54%, compared with 46% for candidates who have not undergone the EDT. It follows a trend set in 2012 when EDT candidates had a similar pass rate.

According to the RSA, the figures are “clear evidence” that EDT candidates feel better prepared for the test process.

John Caulfield, interim chief executive of the RSA, said: “Anyone who received their first learner permit on or after Apr 4, 2011, is required to complete a minimum 12 hours of Essential Driver Training with an RSA registered approved driving instructor.

“Those who do not have to undertake compulsory lessons are those who held a learner permit before the system was introduced. However the RSA strongly recommends that these learners also complete the programme as the benefits are clear to see.”

RSA spokesman Brian Farrell said the figures were indicative of candidates not wishing to waste the time and money spent on preparing for the test, adding: “They are taking the system a lot more seriously.”

The RSA regulates the driving test area but does not set prices for the cost of lessons. The EDT structure is part of the graduated licensing system which also covers the lower drink/driving levels that apply to learner drivers and the plans to introduce a lower threshold of penalty points for the same cohort, meaning a learner driver scoring seven points would be off the road, as opposed to a fully qualified driver who would need to register 12 points before a ban kicked in.

As of the end of last September there were 209,348 category B learner permit holders.

According to the figures there have been a total number of 376,729 tests since the start of 2011 to Dec 17 last, while this year to Dec 17, 39,345 tests of EDT candidates were carried out and 78,827 tests of non-EDT candidates. The no shows were at 825 and 17,663, respectively.

Almost 2,000 tests were abandoned in the same period in 2013.