Driving tests need to be held on Saturday and Sundays to clear a backlog resulting from Covid-19 which has left more than 100,000 people waiting for a test.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway senator, Ollie Crowe [pictured below], who said the situation, which is resulting in people waiting six months or more for a test, is “simply unsustainable”.
It is understood that, as of this summer, a total of 9,413 people in Galway are waiting for their theory and driving tests. Of these, 5,271 Galwegians are waiting for a driving test, while 4,142 are on the theory test waiting list.
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“The backlog is having a significant impact on the lives of people as they cannot drive alone whilst on a provisional licence and are also having to pay higher insurance premiums naturally,” he said.
Sen Crowe has written to Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, to request that additional testers be hired to allow for the rolling out of a weekend service. He also intends to raise the matter with the Taoiseach at a Fianna Fáil party meeting this week.