Ministers confirm gradual reopening of some road safety services

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD, and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD have confirmed the gradual reopening of some road safety services provided by the Road Safety Authority and the driving instruction industry from the 10 May 2021.

The government has decided that;

1. Initial Basic Training (IBT), the programme of mandatory lessons that all learner motorcyclists must complete with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) before sitting a driving test, can resume from 10 May. The RSA will continue to deliver motorcycle testing.

2. Essential Driver Training (EDT) sessions will recommence for those essential workers who have not completed EDT from 10 May. (up to now, under level 5 restrictions no EDT sessions were allowed). The RSA will also reopen its EDT Online Portal, on 10 May, to allow Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) to upload EDT sessions completed by essential workers.

3. Driving tests for essential workers will continue to be the priority for the driver testing service. In line with the gradual reopening of services, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest will recommence in a limited fashion. The further opening of the driver testing service will be the subject of discussions between Department officials and the RSA in the coming week. It is expected that the earliest invitations will start to be issued to these customers will be later in May.

4. National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres will continue to remain open for essential workers only until 17 May, when they will re-open for all customers. NDLS customers who have a Public Services Card or MyGovID can apply online at ndls.ie.

We recognise that the gradual reopening of services will involve consultation and communication with various stakeholders, and this will begin in the coming days. The full details on the lifting of these restrictions and the roll out of each measure and its public health implications is currently being worked on by the Department of Transport, in cooperation with the RSA, and with the Department of Health and other departments.

We understand that people have been waiting for these services but would ask for their patience as plans are put in place to gradually re-open services over the coming weeks. Information will be posted on the RSA website as these plans are finalised. Unfortunately, the RSA does not have further information at this time, and we would ask customers not to call the RSA.

Further details will be announced as they are finalised in the run-up to services recommencing.

The Ministers thanked the staff of the RSA for their professionalism and dedication in delivering essential road safety services over recent times, in what have been challenging circumstances.