The Road Safety Authority must ensure that its goal to reduce driving test waiting times can be achieved, says a Monaghan councillor
Richard Truell, said that the RSA have committed to increase capacity to carry out 7,200 tests a week, with 360,000 tests a year by September.
The Fine Gael councillor welcomes confirmation from the RSA that a range of key measures will be deployed to reduce the waiting times.
He noted it had been highlighted to him the frustration around the wait times that averaged 27 weeks at the end of April.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr. Truell said, he is hopeful the wait times will be reduced as driving is essential in Monaghan.
"We're mostly rural outside of Dublin, you can more or less say we're a rural country, especially Monaghan. I'm 12 miles from Monaghan and if I didn't have a car, I'd be walking. So it's important that it is reduced to 10 weeks so that people can get to their employment. If young people are starting out, they need to get a job, but an employer won't take on that person if they don't have a full driving licence. Also, If they're on a learner permit, they have to bring a fully qualified driver with them, which is a hindrance to the fully qualified driver and the person that is driving with them."
