A new driving-theory test will have to be taken by everybody applying for their first provisional licence from today, in a move aimed at improving road safety.
Applicants will have 45 minutes to answer 40 questions drawn from a bank of 743. In order to pass, they will have to get 35 correct. Only then will they be granted a provisional licence.
The test will cover areas such as the rules of the road, risk perception, hazard awareness and good driving behaviour.
It will be conducted at 41 test locations throughout the State at a cost of £25.20. Applicants who fail will have to pay the fee each time they retake the test.
The new computerised Driver Theory Testing Service was announced by the Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Robert Molloy, yesterday. The test will begin on June 11th, but everybody applying for a first provisional licence from today will have to take it.
The Minister said the test would be based on a bank of questions developed by his Department, based on the rules of the road and current legislation. The question bank would be published in book and CD form.
"While I understand that the test will not be unduly difficult, test applicants, if they wish to be successful, will need to study the question bank in advance of doing the test," he said.
Candidates will be given each question and three possible answers on a computer screen, and will indicate their answer by touching the screen.
The new test will have to be taken only by people applying for provisional licences for the first time. The 345,000 existing holders of provisional licences will not have to do it, either when renewing their provisional licences or taking their driving tests to obtain full licences.
A spokesman for Mr Molloy said there were "no plans to extend the test to other than first time applicants".
Motoring organisations yesterday welcomed the move but criticised the level of the fee.
Mr Robert Taylor, director of the RAC, said £25.20 seemed exorbitant. Looking at the cost of the test, the licence fee, the CD or book containing the bank of questions, and the fact that a little over half of those tested were expected to pass first time, it seemed that acquiring a provisional licence would be an expensive undertaking for young drivers.
Mr Conor Faughnan, of the AA, thought the test was too expensive, but he said its introduction was a good start.