AQW 9644/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 03/11/2020
Answered On Date: 10/11/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether, in the event of a shortage of driving test instructors, DVA will prioritise the resumption of Approved Driving Instructor testing.

Answer:

There are currently around 1,000 Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and approximately 50 Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs), active on the Register. 8 PDIs, who have obtained their Part 1, are waiting on their Part 2 and Part 3 tests.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) conducts approximately 47,000 Category B (private car) practical driving tests per annum. The ratio of driving test to ADI is 47 per annum, which does not suggest there is a shortage of driving instructors.

The DVA is considering the safe resumption of all driver testing services, including the ADI Part 2 and Part 3 qualifying tests, and will directly contact PDIs with details of when these tests will be reinstated and how they can book a test.