James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested is held by that organisation. I have therefore referred those specific questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

The Road Safety Authority has recently started to publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information can be accessed at the following link: data.cso.ie/product/rsadts

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service and my Department does not hold the data requested. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

A learner permit is valid for either one or two years and must be renewed within five years of its expiry. Where a permit has been expired for more than five years, it cannot be renewed and a holder who wishes to continue learning to drive must take the theory test again and apply for a new permit. There are no plans to extend the current five year period for renewal of permits on expiry or the two year maximum validity period.