More driving testers needed to clear the backlog says Tipp TD Alan Kelly

New figures reveal that 263 people are waiting for their driving test in Longford.

placeholder image — New figures reveal that 263 people are waiting for their driving test in Longford.

64,467 people are currently waiting to sit their driving test.

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Government to allocate funds to recruit more driving testers in order to clear the massive backlog that now exists.

"The Report recommends a new Learning and Development Strategy that encompasses both recruitment, in service training and continued professional development. It also has increased the importance of induction programmes and development programmes which will be based out of Templemore. Furthermore it has recommended an increase in the number of non sworn staff working in the Garda College.

Deputy Kelly ( pictured above) said: “The fact that nearly 65,000 people are currently waiting on a driving test is quite concerning.

"I understand that the safety of testers has to be a priority at this time and there is obviously huge pressure on the system due to Covid but the Government need to be proactive and hire more driving testers above the 140 additional extra testers promised to be in place before June.

“While I welcome that frontline workers are being prioritised, I have so many people contacting me, particularly young people, who are in dire straights because they could be waiting up to a year because of the backlog in the system.

“Delayed testing has many implications including higher insurance prices and extra pressure on families to accompany learner drivers.

“The Government should make every effort possible now to help clear the backlog by hiring more testers as it is not feasible to expect people to wait up to a year to do their driving test," Deputy Kelly said.