Private firms are shortly to be invited to tender for at least 100,000 driving tests as part of a new plan to cut the waiting list faced by learner drivers.
The Irish Times understands broad agreement has been reached between the Road Safety Authority and unions representing driver-testers that will see a second, significantly larger, tranche of tests outsourced in a package of measures to reduce the waiting times.
Tenders will be invited for the first 100,000 tests in the coming weeks with a second tender for another 100,000 tests expected to follow later in this year if required.
A combination of other measures, including a new bonus scheme for State driver testers, should deliver at least another 100,000 additional tests. All these measures are in addition to the approximately 170,000 driving tests State testers carry out each year.
More than 140,000 learner drivers are waiting 32 weeks on average for a test. Waiting times have fallen by just two weeks over the last year as a surge in applications off-set the provision of 40,000 extra tests under a bonus scheme, and the hiring of extra staff.
The new measures are also designed to significantly reduce the overall number of drivers on a provisional licence - there are 430,000 such drivers.
While the plan and its objectives were agreed in principal at a meeting last week, many specifics have to be clarified.
One outstanding item includes the details of a new bonus overtime scheme for State driver testers to replace the current scheme which expires on February 6th.
Tom Hoare, Impact assistant general secretary, said the union was engaging on all proposals to reduce the waiting list, adding "it is in nobody's interest that the backlog continues. This is a road safety issue and we are also making proposals to deal with this."
The RSA and the union are due to meet again shortly to finalise outstanding details.
Mr Hoare added the union was heartened that the RSA was also going to carry out detailed research into the exact size of the waiting list and try to estimate and make provision for future demand and revamp the technology used to manage the driving test application process.
"I don't think anyone is happy that the backlog accurately reflects what's going on. In reality it is probably much lower. But we are heartened by the approach being taken by the RSA to accurately measure it," he said.
Under the proposals, the number of State driver testers is likely to increase as a number of contract staff are made full-time.
The option of employing up to 20 driver testers from Northern Ireland and Britain on secondment is also being examined.
SGS Ireland, the company that runs the National Car Test, is currently contracted to provide 40,000 tests, with the option of another 5,000. Unions strongly opposed the outsourcing of driving tests when it was first proposed.
RSA spokesman Brian Farrell said an announcement on plans to cut the waiting list would be made shortly, but added it would be inappropriate to comment on the discussions.
The RSA, the Department of Transport and the unions are determined to reduce the waiting list this year to allow extensive reforms of driver training to be introduced. Responsibility for driver testing transferred from the Department of Transport to the Road Safety Authority on January 1st.
The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is on record as wanting the waiting list reduced to no more than 50,000 and the waiting time for a test to between 8 to 10 weeks.
More than €10 million was provided in the Budget to pay for measures to reducing the waiting time for a driving test.
