Driving instructors should be used by RSA to boost tester numbers – Timmins

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) must work with ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors) in Ireland to end long driving test waiting times, said a Fine Gael Deputy.

Deputy Edward Timmins said today’s announcement by the RSA that more testers will be hired to reduce waiting times is a positive step, but as 83,000 applicants awaited driving tests in April, all efforts must be employed to permanently end lengthy wait times.

Deputy Timmins said “Today the RSA announced that they have introduced 41 new testers into its service, with another 40 in the pipeline after training is completed. With a commitment given to carry out tests outside peak times, to include Saturdays and bank holidays, they say reductions will happen.

“However, we must acknowledge the scale of the backlog and the need to boost tester numbers dramatically. I am calling on the RSA to use ADIs. The ADI is huge resource of about 2,000 members and they not being fully used. This would have a huge impact on driving test waiting times.

“ADIs are trained at much expense and time to deliver driver education, yet all this knowledge and experience is not recognised within the RSA; even though the RSA sets the standard for the ADI check test.

“Longer term, there is also a disconnect in the present system from those who teach the learning outcomes and those who are testing the learning outcomes. This disconnect is causing the long waiting list. Learners usually apply based on the calendar and not driving hours. Many “no-shows” are as a result of this – learners are not “test ready” through lack of educational direction. The ADIs should be instructing learner drivers and then using their professional judgment and experience to decide when the student is ready for the test.

“With additional training, ADIs could also conduct tests outside their teaching areas for example: A system of 25 hours tuition (plus additional personal driving hours) and a three-week waiting list to sit a test would be better received by the public.

“ADIs have invested time and expense to be trained to RSA standards – many have trained in excess of RSA standards through external testing. With specific training, I’m sure these qualified ADIs could fill in the deficit of driving testers and therefore reduce the waiting lists to an acceptable level.

“There is a mountain to climb here to bring test waiting times to an acceptable level for people who need to be on the road for work, college and to visit family and friends. The RSA needs to use the valuable resource of instructors we currently have in every town and village in the country.”