Driving test: More examiners wanted to cut wait times
DFI said between April and June a total of 18,092 driving tests were taken in Northern Ireland - an increase of 5.4% on the same period last year."Demand for driving tests continues to rise," the department spokesperson said, adding waiting times at Altnagelvin "are comparable to those at many other test centres" in Northern Ireland."To further increase capacity, DVA is recruiting additional driving examiners, including for Altnagelvin, using overtime and offering appointments on Sundays and bank holidays where appropriate."A record number of tests - 6,844 - were conducted in the month of June in Northern Ireland, according to DVA figures.In October Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to introduce new rules for new drivers.Graduated driver licensing (GDL), which is due to be introduced on 1 October, applies to all new drivers, but is particularly aimed at 17 to 23-year-olds.Most new drivers will not be permitted to take their driving test for at least six months after being granted a provisional licence under the new rules."While some learner drivers may be seeking to complete their test before GDL is introduced, DVA has no definitive evidence on the impact this may be having on demand," the DFI spokesperson said.The spokesperson added: "Learner drivers currently holding a provisional licence have until 31 March 2027 to pass their Category B driving test before GDL requirements apply."Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme on Friday, driving instructor Chris Arthur said there is always a rise in demand during the summer months as many young people want to pass their test before heading off to university.Although, he said, demand hasn't been as high as it was during the pandemic. "Even looking online last night, the earliest time I could book someone for their test was 13 October in Coleraine, which is about three months away."This person is ready for their test next week, but we now have to find a plan and extend it out so that person doesn't get sick of driving. "We are also going to have to look every night for any cancellations to try to get them their test sooner."We also see some examiners going on holidays and some examiners are off sick which can add to delays, but what we are also seeing is the change to the graduated driving licence scheme coming up in October and we are seeing a lot of people trying to pass their test before the new rules come in."
