There appear to be more myths than ever before surrounding the Irish driving test.This is probably due to the fact that there are more people attempting to take the Irish driving test than in the past. Currently in Ireland, there are approximately 450,000 learner drivers, and there is no sign of a reduction as a new generation of young people come of age and immigration continues apace.

The Irish Driver License various attempts at reducing the waiting list for the Irish Driving Test have been unsuccessful to date due to many opposing factors. Not least of all is the exponential growth in both the economy and the population. The minuscule number of driving examiners has been unable to cope with the situation for close to five years now. When overtime and late-night summer driving tests were introduced some years ago, there was an improvement, but this was short-lived following the decision to revise the common practise of allowing drivers to drive for ever and a day on a provisional licence.

However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel following the recent inauguration of the Road Safety Authority. This new body has been given the brief to oversee and overhaul the whole driving and learner driver scenario in Ireland and deserves the support of all drivers, even though some of the proposals will not be at all popular. Particularly among those who believe that a driver’s licence is an inalienable right.

It is proposed to introduce mandatory tuition for learner drivers, first for motorcyclists and then for car drivers. The registration of driving schools and instructors will also come into being during the summer months and will hopefully raise standards to those that are common in Europe but lacking in Ireland.

The days of spending a night in the local pub and driving home are coming to an end as tougher measures, which include random breath testing, have now been introduced and are showing some interesting results.

A recent report showed that alcohol was a contributory factor in at least fifty percent of fatal accidents, and this had been suspected for some time but was brushed under the carpet by successive administrations. Creating a culture of safe driving and life skills that will be imparted by professional driving instructors and not friends or neighbours will eventually bear fruit, but certainly not overnight.

The planned registration of driving schools and driving instructors is due to commence in July 2007 and is long overdue. In Europe in general, there is quite a strict procedure to comply with when setting up a driving school since it has been recognised that road safety starts with the standard of tuition imparted to learner drivers. This standard is not to be found with parents, friends, or workmates, so it is imperative that learner drivers are exposed to the highest level possible of current driving practises and requirements.