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Inishowen drivers face licence
delays
05.03.13
ALMOST 60,000
credit-card driving licences are now on the road
since the new system went live at the start of the
year, new figures show.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said more than 2,000
plastic licences are being issued per day despite
hitches that have resulted in delays of up to five
weeks in some counties including Donegal.
"There have been some initial technical difficulties
in the first few weeks of the transition from the
old paper based driving licence to the new EU-style
plastic card driving licences. The technical issues
related to delays in data transfer, poor quality
photographs and sizing of application forms printed
by some customers," said an RSA spokesperson.
“We are now issuing over 2,000 plastic card licences
per day and since the new system went live on
January 19, in excess of 59,000 new plastic driving
licences cards have been issued to applicants.” |
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The new EU card type licence. |
The RSA has overall
responsibility for the delivery of the new system
but local authority motor tax offices will continue
to process applications until September 2013.
The new figures were released by the RSA as it
responded to complaints that drivers in some areas
are facing inordinate delays in getting new
licences.
Motorists in Co Donegal are being told they could be
without a licence for up to five weeks.
However, the Insurance Industry Federation (IIF)
said drivers facing such delays are still covered by
their insurance.
"Motor insurance policies cover you if you hold a
licence or, having held a licence, you are not
disqualified from holding one," said IIF non-life
insurance manager, Michael Horan.
"You cannot penalise the innocent victim of a road
crash because the driver is waiting for their
licence to be issued," he added.
Meanwhile, the RSA urged people to submit
applications in good time. Applications for licences
or learner permits can be submitted up to three
months before their expire.
"Our apologies for any inconvenience to our
customers and we are confident that with the support
of our colleagues in motor tax offices that any
backlogs will be dealt with as quickly as possible,"
added the RSA spokesperson. |
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