Test computers for upgrade

The computer systems used to book driving tests which were identified as having a "high risk of failure" will all be replaced by early next year.

The 16-year-old system was strongly criticised by consultants Farrell Grant Sparks (FGS) last year when they examined the Department of Transport's plan to reform the training and testing of drivers.

FGS described the driver testing computer system as a "significant business risk" and an impediment to the aim of reducing the waiting list for a driving test which now averages at 34 weeks.

Road Safety Authority chief executive designate Noel Brett said part of the system has already been replaced and the remainder will be replaced or upgraded by early 2007.

"Part of the criticism was that the computer system kept crashing when people phoned up to change the time of a test. This also led to problems allocating cancelled test slots. That has all been resolved since the Department of Transport put in a new server and a brand new database late last year," he said.

The RSA is also updating the system used to apply for a driving test online. About 30 per cent of all driving test applications are made online. However, at the moment these details have to be manually added to the database by driver testing staff at their head office in Ballina.

Mr Brett admits this is a time consuming process but said that an upgrade to the online applications system is being developed which will allow online applications to go straight into the database.

"Our ultimate aim is to allow people to book at test in the same way you would a flight; at a time, date, and location that suits you. That is where we are trying to get to. "

Mr Brett said that once the system was fully updated, provisional drivers who want to check the time of their test, change the date of their test, or simply cancel, will have their requests dealt with "much faster and in a more customer focused way".

He was unable to give an estimate for the cost of overhauling the driving testers' computer system, saying funding was released on a project basis.