Note: The ADI union branch disbanded in 2023. It has been replaced by the Professional Driving Instructors Association.
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Latest News – Special discount on fuel for members
We have secured a deal with DCI fuel cards for a 3 cent discount on petrol and diesel. Usually the best discount you can get is 2 cent. This will more than pay for your membership fees. Unite union membership does have many more discounts too. For the latest news make sure your in our WhatsApp group. If you are not already a member please contact us to be added. -
Open letter to all ADIs
Dear ADI,
August 18th, 2020. Are you ready to help make much needed changes to our industry, and have your voice heard, while getting all the support and resources required? Then join the first ever ADI branch of ‘Unite the Union’ today, which was officially formed on 4th August 2020.Can all ADIs join?
Yes! Whether you work for a school, are a franchisee or self-employed, this union is for you!Do you have to do anything?We will organise regular meetings at various locations around Ireland, to make it as accessible as possible for all members. To help make sure we know what your priorities are, we would encourage all members to attend every meeting if possible. Remember, unions are only as strong as their members – so we need and value your input.
What have we been doing?
Since forming, we have been working hard with our union reps, and so far have:Contacted the RSA, HSE, HSA and a number of TDs and Ministers regarding health & safety protocols for Covid-19, including the issue of ADIs being prohibited from entering RSA test centres. This issue is ongoing but already has resulted in many questions being asked in the Dáil on our behalf, which are now on record: https://www.kildarestreet.com/search/?s=driving+instructor
Pushed for the RSA to extend our ADI Permits, like they have done for driving licences. The RSA are now meeting to discuss this.
Challenged the current issue of testers leaving test candidate’s cars for the
reverse manoeuvre.
ADIs in Dublin have been hosting weekly protests outside the Finglas RSA Test Centre, and we are aiming for this weekly event to become nationwide.
Gotten media coverage for all these issues.
Launched a public Facebook page, where we post updates and ‘calls to action’: www.facebook.com/UniteADIUnionEven though our union has only just formed, we have made great progress in uniting ADIs for our common goals, and there has been a tremendous team effort nationwide in making our first steps towards achieving these goals.What are our long term plans?
Replacing the check test.
Replacing the logbook system.
Reviewing the EDT.
Having a bigger role in improving driver learning and safety.
Being present and recognised at all RSA stakeholder meetings, and being a strong voice for ADIs in the union.
Hosting regular meetings with ADIs all over the country, to take note of any issues and work together to solve any problems.But that’s just as a start! As a democratic union, every member’s opinions and concerns are valid, and we want to work with you to help solve any issues you are having.But couldn’t we do all of this for free, under an ‘ADI Federation’.
The ADI Union will support any endeavors taken by fellow ADIs to support each other and improve our industry, but so far nothing else has been set up – and we believe that forming a branch within a union, with all of their expertise and resources, is the best way to achieve our goals while protecting each other and our rights.
Who are on the ADI branch committee, and are these elected members
volunteers?
Yes, all the positions were accepted in a voluntary capacity. Your committee members are:Chair – Dominic Brophy
Secretary – Darragh Dunne
Equality Officer – Laura Broxson
Treasurer – Rita Kennedy
Auditor – James Mooney
Branch Officers –Still unsure if a union is right for you?
Just contact us and one of our officers would be delighted to answer any questions or concerns you may have.Thank you,
Unite ADI Branch -
Cancelled Driving Test Refunds from the RSA
Just to confirm the current policy where a driving test is cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment time by the RSA the customer is entitled to claim compensation for the hire of the vehicle only for the purposes of the driving test.They are also entitled to claim their net pay for their day off work. This claim must be accompanied by a paid invoice from the driving school and a copy of their pay-slip so that their net pay can be calculated.
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Campaign to Stop Check Tests
🚘 URGENT: Please email Minister Ryan and ask that he work with us to extend ADI Permits and stop Check Tests! Email…
Posted by Unite ADI Union on Saturday, 5 September 2020
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Extension of ADI Permits
🚗 Since the RSA announced the new extension of driving licences, the ADI Union and our members have been pressuring the…
Posted by Unite ADI Union on Sunday, 23 August 2020
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Temporary Suspension of Check Tests
🚘 It has been confirmed to us that Check Tests are to be suspended by the RSA, for the duration of the Level 5 lockdown….
Posted by Unite ADI Union on Monday, 26 October 2020
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Friday Protests
🚘 ADIs are protesting RSA test centres around the country – please join your local protest, or contact us if you’re…
Posted by Unite ADI Union on Tuesday, 29 September 2020
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Support from TDs
Thanks to Louise O’Reilly TD and Darren O’Rourke TD for raising the plight of Unite ADI Union members who are being left…
Posted by Unite ADI Union on Wednesday, 9 December 2020
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Selected Mainstream Radio & Media Articles
Driving tests being cancelled because it was too cold for the RSA testers / February 2021.
RTE Radio 1 / Joe Duffy
Access to the driving test centres and engagement from the RSA / October 2020.
Waiting times for driving tests & RSA engagement 2020.
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ADI Union proposed Strategic Road Safety Plan
Public Consultation on the Development of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–20301. What should Ireland’s road safety priorities be for next ten years?
Driver Education:
• Essential Driver Training review 2019 needs to be re-evaluated.
• Update the driving test to include parallel parking, independent driving and emergency Stop manoeuvres.
• Classroom based theory programme as used in European countries during the learner-driving phase.
• Invest in driving test centres allowing manoeuvres to be completed on site.
• NCT, Theory Testing, NDLS and Driver testing in one location.
• The RSA need to take measures to STOP unaccompanied learner drivers at driving test centres.
• The Approved Driving Instructor biannual check test should be re-evaluated to move away from pass/ fail model to improving professional development.
• Implement rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for specific offenders.
• Since the formation of the RSA in 2006 the appeal proceduce for driving test result has only been allowed through the courts.
2. How to address these priorities:
• Essential Driver Training review 2019. A comprehensive research review of EDT is needed which includes the Sponsor as a stakeholder and an independent research body needed to complete this consultation (RSA has become reliant on Competency Assurance Solutions as sole provider of research analysis).
• Parallel parking, Independent driving and Emergency Stop added to possible manoeuvres on the test. Tester chooses two out of five manoeuvres.
• Proper facilities at test centre could enable some manoeuvres to be conducted in a safer environment and reduce the impact to local housing estates near driving test centres.
In the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 this was proposed;
“98. Commence a programme of review and modernisation of existing driver test centres and develop new test centres to meet the driving testing requirements of all vehicles.• Investment in driving test campus to conduct NCT, theory test, NDLS and driving test in one location will reduce the overall cost of providing these services. The impact of Covid has shown how driving test centres are struggling to cope with periods of excess demand, closing waiting rooms in test centres puts accompanying drivers at undue risk and harm.
• Report unaccompanied drivers at the driving test centre to local Garda station and issue a driving test refusal.
• The Approved Driving Instructor check test is currently a pass/ fail model of examination creating undue pressure. This should be changed to focus on improving professional development with training and information based programme to update skills.
• Change the appeal procedure for the driving test to move away from court appearance to an ombudsman review.
3. Comments on Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020:
“A reduction of road collision fatalities on Irish roads to 25 per million population or less by 2020 is required to close the gap between Ireland and the safest countries. This means reducing deaths from 162 in 2012 to 124 or fewer by 2020.”
Sadly as I write this on 10th November 2020 we already have lost 127 lives on roads in Ireland.• No mention of Essential Driver Training programme in 2013 strategy despite this been the foundation of driver’s behavior and attitudes to safe lifelong driving.
• “28. Develop and implement a specialist ADI category to deliver initial training for drivers of Category ‘BE’ vehicles with trailers over 750kg design gross weight (car and trailer).”
One can ask has this been achieved?• “29. Develop and implement a programme for initial training for drivers of category ‘W’ vehicles (tractor).”
Has this been achieved?• “33. Reduce long term reliance on multiple learner permits by introducing measures to ensure that learner permit holders sit a driving test before they can obtain a subsequent learner permit.”
Again, has this been achieved?• “38. Review, update and expand the GDL programme to include new requirements to enhance skill progression for learner, novice drivers and consider the inclusion of other driver categories for post test training/experience during the N plate phase.”
Yet again, has this been achieved?• “41. Work with the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) to promote compliance with learner permit regulations and rules relating to vehicle modifications.
Run campaigns and utilise customer databases to ensure that every learner permit holder covered by an insurance policy receives specific advice on learner permit regulations.”
Has this been achieved?• “105. Make it compulsory for a breakdown emergency pack including a first aid kit, a high visibility vest, a breakdown triangle and a torch to be carried in all vehicles by end 2014.”
A Public Consultation document was released in May 2015.
What has been achieved from this consultation?• “106. Legislate, subject to legal advice, to prevent persons over the legal blood alcohol limit from acting as an accompanying driver for a Learner Permit holder.”
Has this been achieved?• “107. Legislate for, subject to legal advice, and implement rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options
for specific offenders.”
In 2012 there were several discussions and media briefings in this area and indeed this was also part of Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012.
Is there any further progress being made?• “112. Conduct a Mid Term Evaluation of the Road Safety Strategy 2013–2020 in 2016, incorporating a review of the Strategy targets and actions.”
If this was done in 2016 how did the RSA manage not to achieve so many targets in the remaining 4 years?• “134. Evaluate the cost benefit of reducing VAT from Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including child restraints, motorcycle and cyclist PPE with a view towards increasing usage of highest quality PPE and make recommendations to Department of Finance.”
Has this been achieved?• “135. Evaluate the cost benefit of incentivising the purchase of vehicle components/devices and personal protection equipment (PPE) that are proven to have positive road safety impact.”
Has this been achieved?I would like detailed response of the above areas numbered from Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 where excellent submissions and targets were made, however to the best of my knowledge little has been achieved by the RSA .
4. What can we learn from other countries?
• Training with Sponsor is recorded in a logbook in Australia, America and countries that use a Sponsor in learner driver training.
• Practical driving test in the UK has 5 manoeuvres and the tester makes a selection from these.
• There is a zero tolerance to unaccompanied driving in the UK, and would not be tolerated as any DVSA driver test centre.
• In many other countries, ADI’s have more control over the learner driver training programme, i.e., such as deciding when the candidate is ready to take their driving test, and submits the application on their behalf.
• Rehabilitation program’s for banned drivers are used in America, England and several other EU countries.5. Any other relevant comments Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030?
• Listen and consider Approved Driving Instructors input into the future of safe delivery of Learner driver training in Ireland. Many ADI’s have completed over 10,000 hours of driver training and are masters in their profession.
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Member’s Bulletin
All of our Member’s bulletins can now be found here.
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