’Essential’ workers are skipping the driving test queue
RSA warns that non-frontline workers can claim to be otherwise to jump waiting lists
THE Road Safety Authority warned that priority driver-testing introduced for key frontline workers had ‘lost all meaning’ and that ‘a part-time employee in Penneys could mark themselves down as essential’ if they wished.
In documents released under Freedom of Information, the RSA said it wanted to facilitate medical personnel, emergency services, and critical supply-chain workers that had remained working throughout the pandemic.
But, by May of this year, the system was increasingly strained because almost anybody could declare themselves an ‘essential worker’ to get a test.
An email to the Department of Transport from a senior official that month said: ‘Right now, a person doing part-time work in Penneys can consider themselves an essential worker and I don’t believe this is what is intended.
‘This has consequences because it means that practically every new customer will automatically sign themselves up for an urgent test and they will effectively skip the queue,’ the official said.
The RSA also said people ‘waiting patiently’ for a test were being bypassed by others who declared their work or needs essential.
RSA director of driver testing and licensing Declan Naughton noted this was ‘not an appropriate way’ to manage a backlog of tests that now exceeds 100,000 people.
The authority also warned about an ‘informal mechanism’ that had
‘This favoured those who shouted loudest’
been in place at one stage, where individuals could make representations to have their test brought forward.
The Department of Transport had asked if it should be reintroduced, given that there were likely to be complaints from those with legitimate reasons for an urgent test.
An email to the Department of Transport said: ‘This favoured those who shouted loudest and there was not then, and is not now, a reliable way to validate why a particular person should be given priority.’
The RSA said it was not a fair or transparent approach and that for every person brought forward for testing, another inevitably lost out.
Internal emails also detail how some provisional drivers might be taking advantage of Covid-19 restrictions, through repeat cancellation of appointments.
The department was told that repeat cancellers were going to be placed in a virtual ‘holding area’ until they identified themselves as ready to sit their test.
One email said: ‘However, as part of reducing the learner churners [those who stay indefinitely on provisional licences] we will need to take steps sooner rather than later to ensure they take a test.’
Further emails reveal how officials at the Department of Transport said they would have to persuade the Taoiseach’s office of the need for resuming driving tests in greater numbers.
One message said: ‘We have had internal discussions in light of expectations from Dept of the Taoiseach, who will need to be convinced to allow it.’
The department asked how many tests could be safely done in June, and with the possibility of the wider reopening to take place in July.
In a business case for hiring 40 extra staff, the RSA said each driving tester was completing six tests a day as compared with eight per day before the pandemic.
While carrying out seven was seen as a possibility, eight tests daily was considered to be a bridge too far for the testers.
They said between cleaning, wiping down of surfaces, Covid-19 protocol questions, and other public health measures, there simply wasn’t enough time available.
The business case said: ‘RSA are confident that the achievement of seven tests per day in the interim is more amenable with current protocols allowing for a review when guidance is suggesting relaxation of measures.’
It said the addition of 40 testers would cost around €1.3m, when staff costs and driver testing income were factored in.
The RSA said they hoped this manpower boost would leave a waiting list of just over 12,000 candidates and a three-week waiting list by the end of next year.
RSA spokesman Brian Farrell said: ‘We should not forget or underestimate the impact that
‘Testers and support staff must be commended’
Covid-19 has had on the driving test, or the challenges faced by our driver testers.
‘They, together with support staff, must be commended for their commitment to road safety and to delivering a vital public service during this time.
‘We look forward to the full resumption of the service and tackling the waiting list of applicants as quickly as possible.
‘We will do this in a fair and transparent manner focusing on testing those who are ready and have been waiting the longest.’