2,527 Waterford locals waiting on driving tests

As of March 26, a total of 2,527 people in Waterford are waiting on driving tests, with 957 ineligible because they have not completed enough essential lessons, according to Labour TD Sean Sherlock.

Updated figures released to Deputy Sherlock by Parliamentary Question, revealed that the list of people waiting on driver tests in Waterford had grown from 1,599 in November to 2,527 as of March 26.

Deputy Sherlock said there was a ‘massive disconnect’ between the RSA and the Government about the need for essential workers to continue lessons, even if they do not yet have a test date.

Recent developments on the matter saw Deputy Sherlock write to the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, to ask if essential workers would be allowed to complete lessons and sit driver tests under public health restrictions.

A response to the query stated: “Under level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) is thus currently suspended.

“While I and my Department are fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT lessons, I must emphasise that this Government decision was taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and minimising social contacts in so far as is possible,” the response read.

BACKLOG

Waterford Labour councillors John Pratt, Thomas Phelan, Seamus Ryan, Ger Bannon and Local Area Representative Michael Murphy, have called on the Government to get a hold on driver waiting numbers in the Waterford area in light of the new figures revealed.

“The number of ineligible drivers awaiting a driving test is huge, over 32,000 nationally. 957 in the Waterford centre and right now there seems to be a massive disconnect between the RSA and the government in respect of allowing people who are in the essential worker category, who will need to get the lessons but are unable to.

“I’m fearful at present, that the RSA isn’t pushing back significantly against the government on this issue. I don’t see a reason why, given that, instructors have been very meticulous about ensuring their own safety and the safety of anybody who’s a passenger in their car in respect of driving tests that driving lessons for essential workers could not resume,” they said.

They went on to emphasise the need to ‘ keep the throughput’ of theory tests driving lessons, and driving tests, in order to prevent further backlog. As the Labour representatives said: “It’s already causing a major backlog as it is.”

“The Government need to get a grip on this and put a plan in place to deal with these spiralling waiting lists by establishing a roadmap starting with the resumption of driving lessons for essential workers who do not have a test date,” they added.

‘NEEDS TO BE A PLAN’

Speaking with TheAvondhu, local Waterford councillor John Pratt said that waiting lists have ‘gone to the extreme’.

“It’s deterring people from being able to drive, and many people need to be able to drive to get to work. There needs to be a plan in place for how this will be tackled,” Cllr Pratt said.

Cllr Pratt noted that the Covid-19 lockdown has accelerated waiting lists and the numbers of people now awaiting driving tests is ‘frightening’.