At least 325,000 motorists have not passed test

STARTLING new figures show that more than 60,000 unsuccessful 2011 driving test applicants are still on the road.

The data released by the Road Safety Authority yesterday also shows that at the end of June there are were almost 265,000 who have yet to sit their test who are driving vehicles, taking the total number of drivers on our roads without a full licences to at least 325,000.

The RSA reported that 62,650 people failed the test last year – with the national pass rate standing at 54.56 per cent.

At the end of June, there were 264,520 learner motorists – with 132,252 being first-time drivers. Some 74,816 people were on their second learner permit, 20,838 were on their third, 13,232 drivers had their fourth and 23,382 people were on at least their fifth learner permit.

There were 158,431 tests last year, with 65,696 drivers passing. Another 20,110 booked the test but did not turn up – and in 6,394 cases the exam was not conducted because the driver did not have tax, insurance, an NCT or a licence. Almost 4,000 tests had to be abandoned by the tester because the driver was a danger on the road.

RSA chief Noel Brett said that the attitude towards people taking the test had changed as a result of the recession. ‘The economic downturn has affected the way people approach their driving test,’ he said. ‘People take it much more seriously now as they don’t want to fail and have to pay to do it again.

‘For example, last year only 13 per cent of people paid for the test and didn’t turn up. That’s a huge improvement from about three years ago when one in five people booked the test and just didn’t bother turning up.’

Drivers can receive an unlimited number of learner permits with each one lasting two years. Mr Brett added that the pass rate is rising and