Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Tupungato

Learner drivers may be unable to book tests due to tech issue affecting instructors

The problem impacts people who were recently issued with log books with seven-digit codes.

SOME PEOPLE MAY soon be unable to book their driving test due to an issue with the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) online learner driver system, instructors have warned.

When an approved driving instructor takes on a new learner driver, they buy a log book from the RSA to keep track of the lessons. The instructor then uses the Essential Driver Training (EDT) online portal to keep a record of this person’s progress.

However, instructors have been unable to upload information about lessons taken by learner drivers who were issued with new log books in recent weeks.

Typically, the log books given to each new learner driver have a unique six-digit number. However, the RSA ran out of six-digit numbers in late December and started to issue log books with seven-digit numbers.

The system was unable to process these log books correctly, meaning instructors cannot upload these learner drivers’ progress.

‘Antiquated’ system 

A number of instructors told The Journal the “antiquated” system was not able to handle the number change and attempts to rectify it – where the system was offline for hours at a time – have not yet fixed the issue.

“It became evident pretty quickly that the antiquated RSA system instructors used to upload the log books to show learner progress, and allow the learner to book a driving test, could not take seven digits,” one instructor said.

This person said a “lack of foresight” by the RSA means this issue will eventually prevent learners from booking tests, if it’s not resolved. 

Another instructor said people “won’t be able to apply for tests as there won’t be a record of the lessons being completed”.

Learners need to complete a minimum of 12 one-hour lessons before they can apply to sit their driving test. So, if a person’s lessons are not being logged, they cannot book their test.

Working to fix the issue 

A spokesperson for the RSA confirmed the organisation became aware in early January that the portal was “unable to process log book numbers consisting of seven digits”.

In a statement, they told The Journal: “The issue affects learner drivers who were issued with seven-digit serial number EDT logbooks since January 2025 and have commenced their 12 EDT sessions.

The system itself is in place for many years and the limitation in the original system design to six digits was not foreseen.

The spokesperson added that, as soon as they became aware of the issue, the RSA informed all approved driving instructors and took steps to fix it.

Work to resolve the issue is “ongoing”, they said.

“It is regretted that this fix is taking some time to deploy, but we expect that it will be in place in the next week.”

The spokesperson said they will continue to “issue regular updates” to driving instructors and apologised “for the inconvenience caused”.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gowanoutathat
    Favourite Gowanoutathat
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 11:19 PM

    Jazuz journal! You’re makin it out to be a very sinister .”body found in car”

    The lad died when his jeep left the road this afternoon .

    RiP

    315
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Polar Bear
    Favourite The Polar Bear
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 11:58 PM

    You read what you wanted to read in tha headline

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pat James buchannan
    Favourite pat James buchannan
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 3:31 AM

    “30 men with large crowd of followers kicked pigs liver for over an hour “……. Real headline …….. Football game on down the road

    49
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Monaghan
    Favourite Kieran Monaghan
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 5:11 AM

    A pigs bladder works better than a pigs liver.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pat James buchannan
    Favourite pat James buchannan
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 5:53 AM

    It was a test to see who actually reads the comments …. First used in ireland and the captains son in Co Tipp brought the idea back to England , and william Ellis wrote the rules even though we we using it for a thousand years playing a different game

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pat James buchannan
    Favourite pat James buchannan
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 5:58 AM

    And lived in a then village called Rugby if only had stayed in his post it would still be called Gaelic football and ball could go forward …….. Love both games and never miss one

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pat James buchannan
    Favourite pat James buchannan
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 6:45 AM

    And in the USA they still call on the “pigskin”

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pat James buchannan
    Favourite pat James buchannan
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 6:46 AM

    On = it

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pat James buchannan
    Favourite pat James buchannan
    Report
    Feb 20th 2014, 7:36 AM

    Come on Michelle …… Why did you pull my comment ?…… It was green thumbed at over 20 /1 , which means the public liked it …… Is it not the job of a journalist to let everyone have their say ….. We can stop clicking on your stories and see where it ends too.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Butter bean
    Favourite Butter bean
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 11:32 PM

    Journal is really going down the toilet with this click bait type of story.
    May the man who lost his life rest in peace.

    169
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Featherstone
    Favourite Joan Featherstone
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 7:08 AM

    Agree Butter Bean, theJournal started out great, but seems to have descended into Daily Mail status, this headline being a prime example. Pity. RIP to this road traffic victim.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Rushe
    Favourite Eileen Rushe
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 11:16 PM

    Rip thoughts are with his family

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Dson
    Favourite Dave Dson
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 12:28 AM

    The headline is a terrible abuse of the English language.
    RiP to the poor man.

    101
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angela Barrett
    Favourite Angela Barrett
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 12:30 AM

    Dont bother commenting much anymore because of above reasons. Used to enjoy journal. Now it annoys me. No need whatso ever to have a headline like that. Rip to the poor man and condolences to his family.

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Howell
    Favourite Colin Howell
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 5:58 PM
    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds