Local TD Danny Healy-Rae raised the backlog of Driving Tests, Driving Lessons and Theory Tests in the Dáil on Thursday.

There are an estimated 3,000 learners waiting for driving tests in Kerry alone as a result of the backlog created by pandemic-related shutdowns.

He also raised concerns that the Car Theory Test is not available online but they are available for truck and bus candidates.

Deputy Healy-Rae challenged Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan on the matter.

“Why can’t the Theory Test be set up online for all vehicles? The Government are supposedly working with the RSA to get the Theory Test online for over a year now – I ask why it is taking more than a year to get this off the ground?” he said.

“Traditionally farmer's sons and daughters could do their Theory Test when they became 16 years of age, get their provisional license and drive a tractor to help out on the farm or get a job locally for the summer – this is not possible now.

Now, young drivers cannot do the Theory Test, cannot get their provisional license, and can’t get on the road. It is essential for everybody to have a licence in rural Ireland. I am asking you Tánaiste to ask the testers to work on Saturdays and Sundays to deal with the backlog, and to ensure that the Theory Test can be applied for online for all learner drivers to get on the road.”