The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said the driving test would be delayed as Level 5 restrictions were announced across the country as part of COVID-19 control. As a result, learner drivers will have to pay €300 to €600 more for car insurance, according RSA.
The RSA has made it clear that driving tests for non-essential workers will be delayed as Level 5 restrictions are imposed on the country. In addition, they informed that there will be no learners test for the next six weeks as driving theory tests are not considered as an essential service.
Deirdre McCarthy of Coverinaclick.ie (Ireland’s low cost car insurance website), said drivers affected by this would lose €300 to €600 a year when renewing motor insurance cover.
“Securing your full licence is a surefire way to push down your premiums – and it’s a sad reality that many of the drivers on this wait list of 85,000, which is growing weekly, will now have to wait until the latter half of 2021 to sit their test,” Ms. McCarthy added.
Meanwhile, the RSA asked non-essential workers scheduled for driving tests during this period to postpone their test day, because preference is given only to workers who are deemed essential.
Since the Authority does not keep the job details of the test candidates, they are required to self-assess whether they are essential workers or not before taking the test. The Authority also requests the cancellation of the tests appointed by them if they are not essential workers.