O’Connor welcomes RSA move to help overcome backlog
The recent announcement by the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority to move the Driver Theory Test (DTT) online to overcome the backlog, has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil Transport Spokesperson, James O’Connor TD.
When the DTT Service closed in late 2020 due to the latest restrictions, the backlog arising from the first suspension (March to June 2020) had not yet been cleared, leading to a further significant backlog. The DTT was not deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions, and the service has been closed since late December 2020.
The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to significantly increase capacity within the service when it is allowed to re-open. To cope with the initial four-month suspension, the service increased capacity from an average pre Covid-19 capacity of 15,000 to over 25,000 monthly. A plan is being progressed to increase this capacity up to 50,000 per month when service resumes, to manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times.
“While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I am sure you will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health takes priority,” Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan T.D. said in a parliamentary response to Deputy O’Connor.
In addition to the increased capacity initiative, and at the request of the Department, the RSA is also working on a plan to rollout an online driver theory test service, Pro Proctor. Pro Proctor has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses during the months of December and January. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test customers during 2021.
URGENT ISSUE
Deputy O’Connor commented, “Coming from a rural constituency I know the importance of the ability to drive. While it is important that people continue to reduce their movements and limit their contacts now, the pandemic will thankfully will not last forever. We must ensure that people can return to normal life as quickly as possible. The inability to sit their theory test has been hugely frustrating for many and I welcome the announcement today to tackle this urgent issue.”
There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the Pro Proctor service during the initial rollout phase, but the objective is that it should be an option for all theory test customers during later phases of the rollout, in line with enhancing access to public services.
The Fianna Fáil T.D. for Cork East added: “I welcome the Pro Proctor pilot scheme which will enable people to take their theory test online. With many people learning to work from home in the last year and getting more familiar with the use of technology, I hope such a system will allow those that can to sit their theory test online. Such initiatives will reduce the backlog in an effective way”.