A union which represents more than a 1,000 Approved Driving Instructors here has called on the Road Safety Authority to delay the introduction of new compulsory driving lessons which come into force next week.
From 4 April, anyone applying for their first driving licence must complete 12 hours of lessons with an approved driving instructor before they can sit a driving test.
However, some instructors say 12 hours will not be enough to cover the new curriculum and that they may insist on learners taking extra lessons.
The Road Safety Authority recommends that the 12 hour-long lessons take place over a period of six months and that at least two weeks are left between each lesson to allow for practice.
The GMB union says it has grave misgivings about the scheme, particularly the role of the sponsor driver who supervises the learner.
It says the sponsor, who will be typically an adult relative or friend with at least two years driving experience, will not be qualified and may pass on bad habits to the learner.
The union says it believes that all lessons should be delivered by a professional instructor.
It also criticised the RSA for its lack of consultation and communication with instructors.
It says that the authority only began informing instructors about the lessons four weeks ago and that some drivers were still seconding guessing their responsibility in relation to the scheme.
The GMB has called on the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar and the Chief Executive of the RSA Noel Brett to meet with them to discuss the issue.
Instructors say there is confusion about exactly how the system will work.
New compulsory lessons for motorcyclists that came into effect in December are assessment based, but the compulsory driving lessons only have to be completed rather than passed.
Some instructors say they will refuse to give a lesson if their student has not reached the required level of competency.
However, the RSA says learner drivers will not be required to take any more than 12 lessons and that if their instructor insists they do, they have the freedom to go elsewhere.
The Consumers' Association of Ireland has also said that learners should shop around.
It says that, if needed, drivers should enter a contract with their instructor to ensure they do not have to take any more lessons than agreed.
