Driving test overhaul plans welcomed

By Dionne Meehan

A LETTERKENNY based driving instructor has welcomed the news of an overhaul of the current driving test which hasn’t been adapted in over 10 years.

With the move coming as part of a response to the increase in road deaths this year, Collette O’Donnell of O’Donnell School of Motoring, said she sees a “need” for a few changes to be made.

Despite not being informed of any changes yet, Collette hopes the
new test will provide young drivers with more education and experience.

Calling on insurance companies’ to have input into the new driving test, Collette said a major issue students are facing at the minute is inexperience due to the price of insurance.

“Learner drivers can’t actually get insured to get experience on the road because of the price of insurance.

“They are inexperienced and they’re going out onto the road.

“One quarter of the deaths on the roads are between ages 17 and 25 and most of that is down to inexperience I believe.

“Experience plays a big part on the road and education plays a big part as well for these drivers,” she said.

Also hoping to see elements of country driving being incorporated into the new test, Collette said it is important for testers to see how students adapt their speed in rural areas.

With the announcement coming earlier this week, Collette fears the news will put added pressure on students to book their test.

“There is probably going to be an influx of people applying for their test because they are going to think the test is going to get harder,” she said.

With some drivers in the county currently having to wait almost one year to sit their driving test due to a shortage of testers, further waits may be expected.

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