Under new Government proposals, learner drivers who have not passed their test after seven years will be required to take additional lessons in order to go back on the road.

Motoring expert Ger Herbert explained that a loophole in the current system allows people to stay on learner permits indefinitely.

“How it stands at the moment is when you go to renew your learner permit for a third time, you basically either have to have a test date or have failed a test,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.

“Now, it’s having a test date that’s the issue at the moment.

“Essentially what you can do it book a test, renew your learner permit, cancel the test and continue to drive, and there’s actually nothing to stop you.

“So, this is going to close this loophole and basically then after seven years, if you’re still on a learner permit and you haven’t passed the test, you’re going to have to go right back to the start.”

Student driver taking driving test.

The new rules would mean that after seven years, a learner driver would have to retake their theory test and redo all twelve lessons.

“In terms of the numbers, it’s estimated there’s about 11,000 people who’ve been on a learner permit for 20 years of more,” Ms Herbert said.

“And there’s about 27,000 who’ve been on it between 11 and 20 years.

“So, they’re not huge numbers, but they’re significant all the same.”

Road safety

According to Ms Herbert, while it is hard to say how many of these are active drivers, many likely pose a threat to road safety.

“One thing we probably can guess [is] that they’re not driving accompanied,” she said.

“Let’s be honest, if you’ve been on a learner permit for that long, you’re not driving with an experienced driver; so you’re breaking the law in that sense.

“So, look, it’s just encouraging unaccompanied drivers to stay off the road.

“I think from that point of view, it needs to be addressed.”

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