Our driving instructors are very advanced

I REFER to the article titled ‘Testing times — driver applications up

Sat, 15 Feb, 2003 - 00:00

50, 000’ (Irish Examiner, Jan 31). One would get the impression from it that the DIR (Driving Instructor Register) is the sole voluntary register in Ireland.

Not so. We in the Association of Certified Driving Instructors (ACDI) are a voluntary register operating here since 1991, long before the DIR was formed.

We have more than 70 instructors in the Cork/Kerry region. All instructors listed in our register must complete a three-part exam and undertake the SAM (Society of Advanced Motorists) advanced driving course. It is wrong for Des Cummins of the DIR to state that only DIR members are qualified.

ACDI instructors are the only instructors in Ireland to undertake the SAM advanced driving test. All are frequently monitored.

We hope a statutory registration body will be in place soon under the supervision of the National Accreditation Board.

John Flanagan,

ACDI,

Tralee,

Co Kerry.