Kerry county councillor Jackie Healy Rae has described the new online driver theory test introduced by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as ‘restrictive and ridiculous.’
Cllr. Healy Rae claims that the RSA has already left some people waiting as long as two years for a date to sit the test as it was fully booked up within a few hours of its launch last night.
“The wait for a new system took long enough but now people are faced with a number of obstacles that will add an extra cost to many with people only allow to access the system via Windows computers.
Modern Methods Sidelined
“Simply put you cannot use your phone, tablet, Mac or Windows 7.” said Cllr Healy Rae.
“Applicants need a 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution, operate a Windows 8.1 or higher System which rules out iPad/Android tablets and a minimum Internet Connection Speed of 0.5 mbps or greater to access the test.
Waiting List Now 101,000
“Currently there is a waiting -list of 101,000 people hoping to sit a driving test and a further 105,000 people waiting to sit their theory test with young people from all over the country at the back of these queue’s.
“In many cases young people need a full driving licence for work and with the economy slowly re opening it is vital that they get every opportunity to return to work.
Taking the The Luas to Work
“In rural Ireland people can’t take the Luas to work and can’t be expected to keep asking their parents for lifts to and from work” he added.
“This is a poorly thought out system that simply does not have anywhere near the required capacity to keep up with the demand for Theory Test.
“As soon as people logged in last night to book their test, the earliest date they could get was for 2023.
Young Drivers Failed by System
“Yet again, young hopeful drivers have been left down by the Government and the RSA,”
The new ProProctor Online Testing system currently only allows candidates currently seeking Bus/Truck, ADI, and CPC licenses to take their Driver Theory Test but only on a Window’s 8 or higher system is open,” Cllr. Healy Rae concluded.
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