The Department of Transport has announced that trainee drivers who had their Practical Driving Assessments (PDA) cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis have been told they can now rebook.
The Department said the ability to book online was suspended in mid-March and approximately 6,500 non-essential PDA bookings were deferred, as all available tests were allocated to essential workers.
“We have now attempted to contact all candidates who had their PDA cancelled, giving them priority booking, with many of them having already completed their rebooked PDA,” the Department said.
“To help cater for the additional demand, we have recruited and trained an additional 35 driver assessors and will temporarily reopen our Welshpool Licensing Centre.”
Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti thanked the learner drivers for their patience.
“We’ve already seen more than 3,000 tests re-booked and more than 1,800 tests already taken, with more than 850 learner drivers successfully passing their driving tests,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The online PDA booking system is becoming available to candidates almost three weeks sooner than anticipated and is a testament of the hard work being provided by Department of Transport employees.”
She said the way the community had responded and adapted to the changes brought about by COVID-19-related restrictions was something of which everyone should be proud.
