According to a newspaper report, up to 30,000 drivers in Ireland have never passed a practical test. Some people have been driving with a so-called learner’s license for thirty years, the Irish Times newspaper wrote on Monday, based on data from the Irish road safety authority Road Safety Authority (RSA).
To be allowed to drive on the road with such an “L” on their vehicle, drivers must have passed the theory exam and be accompanied by a driving instructor or a person over 21 years of age who has held a driving license for at least two years. full driver’s license. When you drive on the highway, there must be a driving instructor in the car.
The learner’s license can be extended after two years
The learner’s permit is normally valid for two years and can then be extended. For a further extension, it is sufficient to have made an appointment for a practical exam; proof of taking the exam is not required.
The Irish Times has now reported that 28,570 drivers on Irish roads received their first provisional driving license between 2009 and 2018. However, the actual number is probably considerably higher, because data up to and including 2008 do not make it clear whether the driver’s license holder has ever taken an exam. More than 80 percent of people over the age of 18 in Ireland have some form of driver’s license. In July, 301,000 people traveled on a ‘learner permit’ for cars. The EU country has more than five million inhabitants.
The large number of novice drivers not turning up for tests is driving demand, the RSA criticized. At the beginning of the year, approximately 420 ‘students’ missed their appointments every month, which amounted to approximately three percent of all tests. The government announced that it would reduce the number of new drivers with several extensions.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
