Driving test waiting times

Sir, – Further to “Driving test waiting times over 30 weeks for learners in six centres” (News, December 29th), it is appalling that there is a backlog of 50,000 learner drivers waiting for their driving test. The reason given by the Road Safety Authority is that there is a lack of testers, resulting in an average waiting time of five months for the unfortunate learner driver to be tested.

My laptop tells me that the basic requirements to become a tester are the possession of a valid passport, vetting by the Garda and tax compliance. There must be thousands of motorists who have these qualifications and I have no doubt that there would be several hundred who could be available to become part-time testers. I cannot think that training could take more than a few half-days with an existing tester.

It should also be possible to teach these potential testers at the rate of three per week as bus, ambulance and heavy-goods vehicles drivers would not be involved. As there are 41 test centres throughout the country, this would indicate that there could be 123 part-time testers available per week or more if required. Payment could be based on a retainer, plus a fee per learner driver. All the figures quoted are obviously speculative but reasonable enough for decision making.

An action plan will be required without delay and put into operation immediately and I am sure that the business school at UCD would give any necessary assistance. I consider that the Minister himself should take personal responsibility for its implementation as he must surely realise just how many lives have been adversely affected by the current situation.