Group hits out at driving test waiting times

The Government is failing young drivers with the lengthy wait for driving tests costing provisional motorists over €23m a year in higher insurance premiums, it was warned today.

Macra na Feirme called upon the Transport Department to reduce the lengthy wait for a driving test as it emerged the average waiting period has increased over the past three years.

“A detailed plan is required for which the minister can be held accountable. Aspirational promises are just not good enough at this stage,” Colm Markey, president of the youth group, said.

As the group met with Transport Minister Martin Cullen, Mr Markey said research carried out by the group shows the waiting lists are costing provisional drivers over €23m each year in higher insurance premiums by denying them the opportunity to sit driving tests.

“The majority of young people in rural areas depend on their cars, whether for travelling to work or for just going about their day-to-day business. We have had promises in the past that initiatives would be implemented to reduce waiting lists, but all that has happened is that waiting lists are getting longer,” Mr Markey said.

“The minister must give a clear indication as to when, and how, he intends to rectify the situation and guarantee that provisional drivers are kept no longer than six weeks on a waiting list to sit their driving test.”

Statistics have shown the average waiting time for a driving test was seven months in 2003 but has increased to over 10 months.

In May 2005, the number of provisional drivers on the waiting list for a test was 124,250 but this has climbed to 130,508 provisional drivers.