Driving test examiners need to loosen up

DRIVING test examiners should adopt a more relaxed approach to dealing with new drivers and women should have a choice of a male or female official.

In recent days new drivers have approached me to complain about the attitude of examiners.

In many cases the examiners are rigid and unsmiling and do not make any effort to put the new drivers at ease. There is also a case to be made for new women drivers to have to choice of a male or female examiner.

In many instances a women driver may be more at ease and comfortable with a women examiner.

It must also be taken into consideration that the new drivers may be nervous and under extreme strain — and this stress is only increased when the examiner is aloof and distant. It may be an idea for some examiners to undertake a public relations course.

I am making these points because of what seems to be a high failure rate among people that I would consider to be fine drivers.

In Limerick, it appears that the rate of failure is high and of course this means that an additional re-test has to be taken at more financial cost to the driver.

Sean O’Neill

Prospect

Limerick