Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Tuesday) said the test for rural transport licences is overly difficult, and should be reviewed as part of the new system of rural hackney licences. Deputy O’Donovan raised the issue with the National Transport Authority (NTA) during a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and the Environment.
“A number of my constituents have raised concerns with me about the difficulty of the knowledge test which must be completed to obtain a small public service vehicle licence. Applicants wishing to service rural areas in West Limerick were asked detailed questions relating to Limerick City and towns and villages on the opposite side of the county.
“Asking someone detailed questions about areas of the county which they will not be serving with rural transport doesn’t make any sense to me. Applicant must answer 80% of the questions correctly in order to get a pass rate. But the nature of the questions makes this very difficult to achieve. In fact, I understand that an average of just one in five people have passed the test in Limerick in the last three years.
“I fully agree that there needs to be a test of knowledge before a person gets a licence, however the test should reflect the area that that person services. For example, if someone was aplying for a licence from North East Limerick, it would make sense to be tested on their knowledge of neighbouring areas in Co. Clare, rather than villages and townlands in West Limerick.
“Under the current system, applicants from large counties with small populations are at a distinct disadvantage.
“I have asked the NTA to examine the current testing process; a move which is particularly important as we begin to introduce rural hackneys. I have requested that the NTA return to the Committee again to discuss the issue in more detail. I am glad to have received a commitment from the CEO of the NTA, Gerry Murphy, that the Authority will consider my suggestions and examine the current testing system.”