Latest news with #RSA
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Irish Times
About 600 learners fail to show for driving tests each month
Almost 2,400 learner drivers failed to attend for their driving test appointments in the first four months of this year, it has emerged. This brings to 17,500 the number of unusable driving test slots since January 2023 because of 'no show' candidates, which means the Road Safety Authority (RSA) received almost €1.5 million in non-refundable test application fees. It has also emerged that there are no driver testers in 12 of the State's 57 car test centres. Currently, 137 driving testers are in place at 45 centres. The RSA is recruiting and training new testers and expects to have 200 in place by the end of the year. The RSA has said that while some test centres do not have driving testers, this does not infer that these centres are not being serviced. 'The service is managed to balance available skilled resources across all locations,' the authority said. READ MORE Across the 57 test centres, 6,440 learner drivers failed to show up for their test in 2023. This increased to 8,663 last year. Figures released by the RSA to Fine Gael TD Emer Currie show 2,387 candidates did not show for their test scheduled in the first four months of this year, having failed to cancel in advance of the test. Ms Currie said no-shows this year are working out at 600 a month. 'That level of waste should be re-examined when so may people are desperate to take their tests,' she said. 'It also brings into focus the bizarre situation where learner drivers can miss driving tests but continue to reapply to renew their learner permits.' Once a learner has written confirmation that they applied for their test, they can then apply to renew their learner permit. [ Irish motorists face up to 10 months wait for driving tests with longest in Dublin and Meath centres Opens in new window ] The Dublin West TD added: 'The RSA should be clamping down on waste and workarounds. I'm not sure we are seeing the urgency we should if people are gaming the system.' Chair of road safety campaign group Parc Susan Gray said that since the beginning of 2023 up to the end of April, the authority 'has received €1,486,650 in payments from the no-shows'. 'We believe the RSA are rewarding these drivers for not showing up by issuing a new permit at a cost of €85, which will last a year. Then the learner will be back the following year looking for another renewal for €85.' A learner who completes the test and fails can renew their permit for two years, while a no-show has to renew annually. 'These no-shows know it doesn't matter to the RSA if they fail to turn up for their scheduled test date as the RSA will continue to renew their permits every year.' She added that the Department of Transport is working on secondary legislation, which does not have to go through the Dáil and Seanad, to limit the number of learner permits issued to candidates who fail to show for driving tests. [ TD calls for free-of-charge driving tests if applicants obliged to wait more than 10 weeks Opens in new window ] But this cannot be done until the Minister for Transport receives the RSA's implementation plans to close the loophole, said Ms Gray. The new testers being recruited will have permanent contracts. In a previous recruitment campaign, a number of testers were on temporary contracts, which adversely affected waiting times when their contracts ended. Ms Gray said the lack of testers is 'very alarming'. For example, Buncrana, the only test centre to cover the Inishowen peninsula in Co Donegal, has no driver tester, she said. 'We don't have much confidence in the RSA system that these test centres will be adequately resourced because effectively they will have to take testers from another centre.' Ms Currie said she is looking forward to seeing the RSA appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport in the coming weeks to explain why 12 out of 57 driving test centres do not have any testers. The 12 test centres with no driving testers are: Charlestown, Maple House in Mulhuddart, and Killester, Dublin; Buncrana, Co Donegal; Clifden, Co Gaway; Talbot Hotel, Co Carlow; Mallow and Skibbereen, Co Cork; O'Loughlin Gaels centre, Co Kilkenny; Kilrush and Shannon, Co Clare; Longford; and Portlaoise. RSA chief operating officer Brendan Walsh said the authority 'will have employed 91 people on permanent contracts to bring the number of permanent driver testers up to the sanctioned 200″.
RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Over 2,000 driving test no shows so far in 2025
Road Safety Authority figures, up to the end of April 2025, show that 2,397 people who had applied for and paid €85 to sit their driving test did not show up. With approximately 81,000 people currently waiting for a driving test, the number of no shows puts more pressure on the waiting list. Susan Gray, who is the founder and chairperson of road safety group PARC, has highlighted the number of learner licence holders who are on the waiting list but often do not turn up for their appointed test. "These no shows are depriving other learners of sitting the test when they are anxious to get a date and pass their test and not have to be driving accompanied," she said. This year, the RSA has received just over €203,000 in payments for driving tests for which the applicants did not show up. The figures were presented by the RSA to Fine Gael TD Emer Currie under parliamentary questions. In 2024, 8,863 people did not show up for their driving test. The RSA received €753,355 from driving test applicants who did not turn up last year. Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer with the Road Safety Authority, acknowledged that some of those who do not show up for their tests are holders of multiple learner driving permit licences. "We do have people who are running very high levels of multiple learner permits," he told RTÉ's This Week. Mr Walsh said: "We have a programme that once we get through this backlog [driving test waiting list] we're going to kick it off. "We have the legislation almost finalised with the Department of Transport, so we will be making some changes as to how learner drivers stay on the road with a learner permit. "If you hold a learner permit you should be learning to drive. "Last year, we had 8,863 people who failed to show up. "While that sounds like a big number in the context of 253,000 tests, it's around 3.5%." Ms Gray is particularly critical of people who hold a learner permit and who do not complete their test for a full licence. She said: "A learner driver never has to turn up for the test. "They can renew every year by simply sending the RSA €85, getting a booking date, not turning up and using that letter from the RSA to prove that they actually applied to book a test." Chris Curran, an Ennis-based driving instructor, said that from his experience some learner permit holders make a decision not to turn up for their test. "I believe there are a number of people still in the system that are continually not showing up," he said. Mr Curran said the RSA is "actively trying to work on getting those people to sit their test". "They don't want people driving for years on learner permits," he said. "They need to get through the system, sit their test and either pass it or start working on how they might pass it at some stage," he added. However, he noted that there are sometimes genuine reasons why a person does not show up for a driving test. Mr Curran said: "The key one is nerves on the day. Some people are just too nervous. "Other reasons may be that they have suddenly realised that the 10-day window that the RSA gives each candidate to reschedule their test has been exceeded. "That means they have two choices on the day, turn up or don't turn up. "Some people take the second option and don't turn up." Kirsten Falloon has recently applied for a driving test date and was surprised to find how long her wait will be. "When I applied for my test and realised the length of time that I've got to wait I thought that was abominable," she said. "They said it could be up to 26 weeks or longer," she added. Ms Falloon said she cannot understand why people book a driving test and then fail to turn up. "I think it says more about the system than it does about those that are waiting," she said. "I think it's very broken," she added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nvidia can't be stopped, Apple falls behind, and the AI data center race: Tech news roundup
When Microsoft (MSFT) pulled the plug on planned data centers in Ohio last month and a Wells Fargo (WFC) report suggested Amazon (AMZN) Web Services was reconsidering some leases, market watchers quickly diagnosed the symptoms: AI bubble concerns, demand uncertainty, and the inevitable cooldown after years of breakneck expansion. Read More The 'Magnificent Seven' tech stocks led the market's post-pandemic boom. But as Big Tech sprints into the AI future, one big name is falling dangerously behind: Apple (AAPL). Once an undisputed tech heavyweight, it risks becoming the least magnificent of them all. Read More Nvidia (NVDA) continues to go beyond expectations — even if things are a little more complicated this time around. Its strong first-quarter headline numbers show that Nvidia's AI thesis is as strong as ever and that its margins remain elite, despite facing significant headwinds due to U.S. export restrictions on its H20 processors to China and other geopolitical concerns. Read More A new study from Google Researchers is raising questions about whether quantum computing will hamper your ability to keep your crypto wallet secure. Google's (GOOGL) Craig Gidney, a quantum research scientist, and Sophie Schmieg, a senior staff cryptography engineer, published a blog post on Friday showing a quantum computer could potentially break RSA encryption — the public-key encryption algorithm used to secure data such as for cryptocurrencies — with 20 times fewer quantum resources than they previously believed. Read More Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei has issued a stark warning: Artificial intelligence could eliminate up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, pushing U.S. unemployment to 10–20% within the next one to five years. Read More Nvidia's (NVDA) delicate dance in China continues. Amid U.S. export restrictions on its advanced AI chips, the chip giant valued at $3.3 trillion is reworking its product line — again — to maintain its hold on one of its most important markets without crossing Washington. Read More Salesforce said Tuesday it will acquire the cloud data management company Informatica for $8 billion in equity value as it seeks to further compete in the global artificial intelligence race. Read More Most companies can't shrug off an $8 billion loss. Then again, most companies aren't Nvidia (NVDA). On Wednesday's first-quarter earnings call, Wall Street zeroed in on Nvidia's obvious weak spot: China. Thanks to U.S. export restrictions, Nvidia's custom-built H20 chips, designed to skirt earlier rules, have essentially been made worthless. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress confirmed the damage: 'Had the export controls not occurred, we would have had orders of about $8 billion for H20' in the quarter. Read More Space X's big ambitions came crashing back to Earth on Tuesday, when its Starship made what the company calls a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' six minutes after launch, with parts landing in the Indian Ocean. Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hans India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Yamaha Strengthens After-Sales Promise with 5-Year Roadside Assistance Program
India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM), as part of its 40-year milestone in India, has introduced the 5-year Roadside Assistance (RSA) program, reinforcing its commitment to customer-centric services and complete peace of mind for every Yamaha rider. Available at a just INR 975* for 5 years, the extended RSA program provides round-the-clock support across the country, covering a wide range of on-road emergencies. Key benefits of the program include: · Towing Support in case of breakdown or accident · Battery Jumpstart assistance · Flat Tyre Support · Running Repair services for minor issues · Medical Assistance in emergencies This new initiative complements Yamaha's recently announced 10-year 'Total Warranty' program ** (2+8 years extended warranty), further strengthening the brand's customer-centric approach. Together, these offerings reflect Yamaha's ongoing effort to enhance ownership experience and ensure riders feel supported and secure at every stage of their journey. For Yamaha customers, it's not just about performance and style—it's about trust, assurance, and lifelong value.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Yamaha announces 5-year Roadside Assistance program for its customers
Yamaha Aerox 155 in new Ice Fluo Vermillion colour scheme. Check Offers India Yamaha Motor has the introduction of the 5-year Roadside Assistance (RSA) program. This has been announced to celebrate 40-year milestone in India. The brand is providing Roadside Assistance at just ₹ 975 for five years. The benefits of the RSA are:- Towing support in case of breakdown or accident Battery jumpstart assistance Flat tyre support Running repair for minor issues Medical assistance in emergencies We would suggest getting in touch with the nearest authorised Yamaha dealerships because they would have more details and terms and conditions. Yamaha announces 10-year total warranty India Yamaha Motor has recently announced the introduction of a comprehensive 10-year warranty program for its two-wheelers. This 10-Year Total Warranty comprises a 2-Year Standard Warranty along with an additional 8-Year Extended Warranty, which encompasses engine and electrical components, including the Fuel Injection (Fi) system. The scooters are now eligible for warranty coverage of up to 100,000 km, while the domestically manufactured motorcycle range will be covered for up to 125,000 km. As a standard, the scooters are covered for 24,000 km, with the extended warranty providing coverage for an additional 76,000 km. In contrast, the motorcycles come with a standard warranty of 30,000 km, and the extended warranty offers coverage for 95,000 km. Also Read : 2025 Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid: Here's what has changed on the updated motorcycle 2025 Yamaha Aerox 155 S launched The 2025 Yamaha Aerox 155 S has been updated with new color options and is now fitted with an OBD2-compatible engine to comply with the latest emission regulations. The fresh color choices include Ice Fluo Vermillion and Racing Blue. The price is established at ₹ 1,53,430 ex-showroom, while the existing Metallic Black variant will continue to be offered at ₹ 1,50,130 ex-showroom. The Aerox will still be accessible through Blue Square dealerships. The Yamaha Aerox 155 retains its liquid-cooled, 4-stroke SOHC, 155 cc engine, which produces a maximum power output of 14.8 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 13.9 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. It is paired with a CVT transmission. The engine incorporates Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) and is suitable for E20 petrol. In comparison to the standard model, the S trim is equipped with a keyless ignition system that streamlines the startup procedure, removing the necessity for the rider to insert and turn a key. The scooter employs proximity detection to identify the key, enabling the rider to initiate it by merely twisting a rotating knob. Furthermore, Yamaha offers features including an audible buzzer, answer-back capability, and flashing turn signals. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 31 May 2025, 13:00 PM IST
