CALL FOR MAXIMUM EIGHTWEEK WAIT FOR DRIVING TEST
RSA FIGURES SHOW LEARNERS CAN WAIT FOR MORE THAN SIX-MONTHS FOR A TEST AT MALLOW CENTRE
A MOTION calling on Transport Minister Shane Ross to put in place a mandatory eight-week maximum wait time for a driving test has been given the full backing of Cork county councillors.
The issue was raised last Monday’s bi-weekly full meeting of the authority at County Hall by Kanturk/Mallow area councillor John Paul O’Shea (FG).
He said it was imperative that Minister Ross took action to alleviate the long waiting list for learner drivers in light of the implementation of the unaccompanied driver provisions within the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018.
Following the introduction of the co called ‘Clancy Amendment’, it is now illegal for the owner of a vehicle to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner or an unlicensed person to drive to it and offenders could face fine of up to €1,000 and the possibility of six-months in prison.
Under the amendment, named after the Kilworth mother and daughter Geraldine and Louise Clancy who died following a collision with and unaccompanied learner driver near their home in 2015, Gardaí have the power seize a vehicle if a learner is found using a vehicle with a qualified driver accompanying them.
Unaccompanied learner drivers can also face fines of up to €2,000 or six-months on prison.
The introduction of the amendment has left many learner drivers in limbo, in particular those living in rural areas that do not have a regular public transport service.
Commenting on his motion, Cllr O’Shea aid the current waiting time for driving test of between 8-27 weeks was “totally unacceptable.”
According to new figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the average waiting time nationally for a test is 10-weeks. However, the figure for Mallow stands at just over 18-week with some applicants being forced to wait up to 27-weeks, or more than six months, for a driving test.
“The current waiting times are totally unacceptable. There are instances where people are having to wait more than halfa-year after applying for their driving test before they actually take it. Bear in mind, there are people who have passed their theory test and completed their 12 compulsory lessons,” said Cllr O’Shea.
“Reducing the wait time has now become even more important in light of the implementation of the Clancy Amendment, so I will be seeking a positive response from Minister Ross on this issue,” he added.
His sentiments have been echoed by Cork North West TD Aindrias Moynihan (FF), who said out that access to a car was vital for many people to go about their daily business.
“I have been contacted by many young people in particular who struggle to take up job offers or travel to college as they cannot drive without their full driving license. It’s not just a rural issue. Despite much better public transport options, these requirements still exist in our towns and villages, yet they too have to wait inordinate amounts of time for a test,” said Deputy Moynihan. “There must be a greater urgency in terms of reducing these waiting lists. If additional capacity is required, the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority must deliver,” he added.