Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
254. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the implementation plans from the Road Safety Authority to close the loophole whereby learner drivers are allowed to renew their permits without sitting the driving test; if he has placed a timeline on the Road Safety Authority to provide him with its plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for his Department and the Road Safety Authority to close the loophole whereby learners never have to sit a driving test to renew their permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32808/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that my Department is committed to addressing the matter of learner drivers with multiple successive learner permits.
It is intended to restrict eligibility to third or fourth permits, by requiring that the learner has taken a practical test before they can renew their permit, and that no more than four successive permits may be issued before a learner must start the learner driver process again (theory test, learner permit, 12 compulsory lessons, practical test).
The Department is working on legislation to provide for the changes and the RSA, in consultation with my officials, is finalising an implementation plan. I expect to sign regulations shortly and for implementation to begin before the end of this year. This aligns to the commitments given by the RSA to return the driver testing service to the target wait of 10 weeks (or less) by September.
