Students who take new road safety course could pay less for driving test

Secondary school students could be in line to pay less to sit their driving test as part of a new road safety course, Education Minister Norma Foley has said.

They will also receive marks towards the driver theory exam.

The transition year course will begin in schools in September in a bid to reduce accidents and fatalities on Irish roads.

"I have met with the RSA, with Sam Waide their CEO, and we're currently working on a programme for September 2024, specifically for transition year students, where these students would be very much brought into the heightened awareness of safety on the road, be it cyclists or pedestrians or drivers or whatever the case might be," Minister Foley told the Irish Examiner.

The RSA already runs a module for TY students but the minister said this course requires 34 class lessons, which is "very elongated" and can be difficult to timetable. Just 75 of the country's 730 secondary schools are delivering it at TY level.

Ms Foley said a shorter, more focused road safety course would provide a practical option for schools and students