Back to Work ?????

For those that may have missed it. An article appeared in the Irish Sun where Dara Browne reports of the progress or lack of it for Ireland’s ADI’s with the Heading BACK ON THE ROAD
Coronavirus in Ireland. (10 Jun 2020, 16:54) Follow this link to view the article. Opens a new page.
Among other aspects discussed in this article, Minister for Transport Shane Ross is quoted as stating 

Some Road Safety Authority services - including the National Driver Licence Service, the Driver Theory Test, and the National Car Testing Service - began reopening on a gradual basis from June 8. But there are still "issues to overcome" in order for the Driver Testing Service to return, Transport Minister Shane Ross said. Earlier this week, he stated:

"While I do see the possibility of truck, bus and motorcycle testing resuming, in Phase 3, there are issues to overcome to recommence car driving tests. "These challenges include maintaining social distancing as a car driving test means close contact in an enclosed space between the driver tester and the learner driver for periods in excess of 15 minutes. "I can assure learner drivers that officials in my Department and the RSA are looking at all available options to get car driving tests started again as soon as possible."

No disclosures have been announced by the RSA however, there is little reasoning why Truck, Bus and Motorcyclists test cannot be conducted. Cars are problematic, because of the close proximity of the instructor or tester and the pupil… So social distancing will not work, even if it was reduced to the WHO recommendation of 1 metre.

That said a tester could travel in the back of the car with the ADI, allowed to ride shotgun in the front. Thus, maintaining to the letter of the law, as the learner would still have a fully qualified driver beside them during the driving test however, with the ADI playing no hand act, or part in the driving test.

This system is currently being used and is proven, within the ADI check Test system, where the tester rides in the back and evaluates the ADI and operates very well.
In the absence of any clarification or instruction for ADI’s to prepare, so what is the most likely outcome in the preparation for a return to driver tuition and testing.

• Nose and Mouth Coverings
• Eyeglasses or Goggles
• Full Face Masks
• Sterile Gloves
• Plastic Seat Coverings (Similar to those used in Garage Vehicle Servicing)
  Changed and disposed correctly after each pupil
• Sanitation Gels for Hands
• Sanitation Sprays for door handles, and all handling areas within the driver’s cockpit
• Adequate Ventilation (opening windows where and when possible)
  With the addition of installing wind deflectors to windows to assist in suspect weather conditions.
• Internal Screens (Maybe a possibility, however cumbersome for instructors and the sheen or glare may also become a bit of a nuisance
• Credit Card Machine for Contact-less Payments
• No “Piggyback Driving Lessons Allowed” i.e. where one pupil picks up the next pupil
  Essentially only one learner allowed in a vehicle at one time along with the Instructor

Other conditions could be that a small questionnaire to the pupil, prior to entry to the vehicle to the pupil from a social distance ask.

• Is there anybody in the household showing symptoms of Covid 19?
• Are they themselves suffering from the effects as listed by the HSE ,
• Others?

So, before proceeding with any of the undermentioned, our advice is to wait for the full list of recommendations from the RSA ADI unit, who will have liaised with the HSE.
Also bearing in mind that the RSA are still accepting all test applications which will lead to additional waiting times, will mean that ADI will be busy well into 2021 and beyond,  and in addition the RSA may well need additional driving testers employed. So, in the interest of clarity and forward planning the time is now for ADI’s to plan and get back to doing what they do best…. Training drivers with a life skill.

Unfortunately, the Industry does not have a representative body similar to other industries that have put the case forward on their behalf. It appears that the ADI unit is free to ignore the individual ADI calls for a planned and sensible re-opening of the industry or progress thereof. It appears that the ADI is left in the dark and does not have any influence on or within the ADI unit itself. This is something that should have been remedied many years ago as the ADI “forum” appears to be the RSA ADI Unit policing the RSA ADI Unit  and is not directly answerable to the ADI for whom they act..

Des Cummins

Wish to see the Irish Sun Article   Click Here