Labour TD calls for drivers to resit theory test every 10 years

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Drivers should have to resit a theory test every time their licence is up for renewal, a Labour TD has said.

Ciaran Ahern said there is “definitely a case to be made for refresher courses” for drivers every 10 years.

Speaking to reporters at Leinster House in Dublin on Tuesday, he said: “In any other part of your professional life, you’re expected to do continuous professional development to ensure you’re on top of changes to the law, changes to practice and I don’t see why that doesn’t apply when it comes to driving as well, given the number of deaths and serious (injuries) on our roads.”

 

Mr Ahern said driving behaviour has been on the decline in recent years and also called for “more enforcement on our roads”.

He said some of the issues around road safety are linked to delays with driving tests.

“There’s 68,000 people waiting for driving tests. The average waiting time is 21 weeks. The Government’s aim is to get that down to 10 weeks.

“But despite having given permission to hire additional testers, it doesn’t seem that they’ve come on stream yet, and waiting lists are just getting worse year on year.”

He acknowledged there was already a lack of capacity within the driving-test system for normal tests, but said investment should be made to allow for the so-called refresher courses.

Asked specifically what he would like to see, Mr Ahern said: “I’m suggesting that when your driving test comes up for renewal every 10 years, so at the very least a theory test at that time.”

He questioned whether every driver would be “au fait” with recent changes for the national speed limit road signs, for example.

Pressed on whether a driver should lose their licence if they fail the repeat theory test, Mr Ahern said: “Obviously that would have serious practical implications, but we would have to seriously consider that.

“I mean, if you don’t know the rules of the road, if you can’t prove that you know them, should you be driving, you know, at all?”

He added: “Whether or not that is binding or it actually prevents them getting the licence, I think at the very least you should carry out a refresher course before your license is granted.”

Mr Ahern said there was a need to “get serious” about road deaths and implement consequences for not understanding the rules of the road.

The requirement to pass a driving test came into force for new applicants in 1964.

However, following a significant backlog in the late 1970s, thousands of applicants were given driving licences without passing the practical test in what was described as an ‘amnesty’ to alleviate pressure on the system.

Asked if these drivers should be forced to sit a driving test, Mr Ahern said: “Anyone who drives a car needs to be sure that they can do so safely – that is all we’re asking here.”

The Labour TD for Dublin South-West, who admitted that his father is a holder of a so-called amnesty licence, added: “Whether or not it comes down to actually taking a driving test or taking a new theory test, I do think we have to have a regime in place that people can drive safely.

“That way other vulnerable users of the the road can feel safe. At the moment, it isn’t that way. So I’m open to any suggestion as to how we make that safer.

“We’re not here to penalise people. We’re trying to bring people with us and for people to understand that you’re in a position of privilege in driving a car, you’ve vulnerable people around you. You need to be conscious of that at all times.”