[Article] Error led to drivers sitting test unnecessarily

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/8281541?view=Eircomnet

Error led to drivers sitting test unnecessarily
From:ireland.com
Saturday, 17th June, 2006

A UK company that operates the Driving Theory Test (DTT) in Ireland for provisional licence holders has been relaying incorrect information to people making inquiries resulting in some people unnecessarily sitting the test.

The Department of Transport is investigating a complaint that Thompson Prometric, based in Manchester, has been informing those making inquires that if their provisional licence has lapsed they must sit the theory test.

In fact, only if a provisional licence has lapsed by five years must those wishing to renew it sit the test, according to the Department of Transport.

A spokeswoman for the department said they did not know how many people were affected by the company's error but that the company immediately admitted its mistake when contacted. Thompson Prometric receives about 500 calls every day in relation to the theory test.

A spokeswoman for the company said they did not know how many people had been given the incorrect information or how many people had sat the test unnecessarily. She added that they were recently made aware of one incidence where a person sat the theory test unnecessarily.

A refund has been issued to the person involved.

When contacted, three agents at Thompson Prometric told The Irish Times that if a provisional license had lapsed, that person must take the theory test in order to obtain another licence.

It costs €38 to sit the test and approximately €30 to purchase the CD-Rom or theory test book to prepare for the test.

"We've brought it to their attention that incorrect information has been given out.

"We want reassurance that this doesn't happen again. It's unacceptable and an inconvenience for the people involved," added the department spokeswoman.

A spokesman for Thompson Prometric said there had been an error in relation to incorrect information being communicated but that this was now rectified.

"There's obviously been an error in terms of understanding what's required in terms of lapsed licences."

He added that a "misinterpretation of the brief" had led to the error. "

_Kaiser_

Will people be refunded for the costs of the test and any books or cds they have paid for?

(Personally though I'm not sure making people resit the test every so often is a bad thing anyway though...)

Victor

I suspect all provisional licences will disappear in the next few years as they are being replaced with learner permits.

Stark

What are the differences between a provisional licence and a learner permit?

Guy:Incognito

I would imagine a learner permit only allows you to drive while taking offical lessons?

Victor

Stekelly wrote:

I would imagine a learner permit only allows you to drive while taking offical lessons?

I imagine. It also means they can restrict things like the unaccompanied second provisional, people on their 12th provisional etc.