[Article] Learner drivers get test offer before licence curb

Learner drivers get test offer before licence curb
From The Irish IndependentFriday, 13th June, 2008
Paul Melia

ALL holders of second provisional licences will get a test in advance of being banned from driving alone in three weeks' time.

Yesterday, the Road Safety Authority said that any driver who needed a test before the law changes at the end of this month would be accommodated, even at short notice.

Under the current law, first, third and subsequent provisional licence holders must be accompanied at all times but it does not apply to holders of a second provisional licence.

From June 30, the law will apply to holders of second provisional licences. If caught driving unaccompanied, drivers face fines of up to €2,000 and three months in prison.

When the law was changed last October, the RSA pledged to ensure that the 122,000 holders of second provisional licences would have an opportunity to sit their test.

Holders of second provisional licences could get a test date "within days", an RSA spokesman said yesterday, but warned people not to apply for the test unless they were ready.

Brian Farrell said that anyone who has applied for a test has been accommodated, and that of those who failed, the "vast majority" have been offered a re-test in advance of the deadline.

"We said that all those people would be offered a test and that's on target," he said. "Between last October and this May, 250,000 tests have been carried out -- 12,000 a week.

Instructor

"If you're a provisional licence holder and you need a test, get in touch with us and apply online at www.drivingtest.ie. A sizeable number who have failed the test have been offered a re-test. The difficulty some people have is they're called but not prepared. We would advise getting lessons from a qualified instructor, and they will let you know when you're ready.

"We've ramped up capacity significantly and we're confident we will have offered tests if required. We have the capacity to meet demand and if someone needs a test, they'll get it."

New figures show that average waiting times to get a test date are now 8.2 weeks -- below the RSA's 10-week target.

There is a waiting list of just six weeks in Finglas, Co Dublin; Tipperary; Newcastle West, Co Limerick; Cork city; Clifden, Co Galway; and Buncrana, Co Donegal. The longest waiting time is 12 weeks in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

Speaking as gardai launch a nationwide blitz to ensure that provisional licence holders do not drive alone, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said drivers should comply with the law.

"When the gardai step up enforcement, the immediate result is a spike in public compliance with road traffic legislation and that, in turn, saves lives on Irish roads," he said.

"I welcome the continued cooperation of the gardai in this important life-saving work. It is up to each of us to comply with road traffic legislation."

Operation Safeguard will also see checks for tax and insurance, NCT certificates, tyres, use of seat belts and child restraints and driving while using a mobile phone.