The RSA is working on plans to allow aspiring drivers to take their theory test online amid ongoing Level 5 restrictions.
TheJournal.ie are reporting that moves are underway to expand the online test facilities at the RSA – which currently allow certain categories of tests to take place online. Anyone seeking to obtain a bus or truck-driving license, as well as those seeking a Certificate of Professional Competency or a driving instructor’s exam, can take their test online.
Now it appears that the RSA are moving quickly to allow all tests to take place online. The ongoing lockdown restrictions mean that there are upwards of 65,000 drivers waiting for a theory test, according to Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Darren O’Rourke. Moving all theory tests online would be technological challenge, with major upgrades needed to the site to deal with the increased traffic that would be expected.
The RSA has said that it hopes to facilitate up to 25,000 tests monthly in-person once the current Level 5 restrictions are lifted – meaning it would take nearly three months to work through the current backlog. The RSA recently ran into issues with its online services portal and call centre, which left many waiting for responses to their calls.
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The current restrictions mean that driving tests are reserved exclusively for essential workers, with the RSA encouraging anyone who does not fall into this category to cancel their tests. Anyone who cancels their test with “non-essential worker” given as the reason will not lose their booking fee.
Speaking on the proposed expansion to the online service, an RSA spokesperson told TheJournal: “This new service has been well received and we have increased capacity in recent weeks to allow more customers to sit their bus, truck, CPC or ADI theory test online."
It seems like we’ll be waiting a while yet for the online service but once it is up and running hopefully the thousands of drivers waiting for their theory test can finally get the big day over and done with.
