Irish Driving Instructors Association

EFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Stockholm, Sweden on 29th & 30th May 2009

IDIA Chairperson Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) represented Ireland

The meeting coincided with the 70th Anniversary of STR

The Swedish National Association of Driving Schools

EFA delegates were invited to partake in some of the celebrations for this memorable occasion

Matters discussed were

• The EU Directive of Services and the effect this might have for driving instructors and driving schools

• The 3rd EU Directive on Driving Lcences

• Module Close-To

• Hermes

• The pan European economic downturn and the effect this was having on driving schools and driving instructors, in member countries

• The IDIA reported that the driving instruction business was at an all time low in Ireland due to the financial downturn

• EFA Meeting and Congress in Budapest - October 2009

• Developments in Member Countries

• The IDIA presented a report on the virtual non-enforcement by the authorities and non-compliance by the public with the laws on Accompanied Driving for holders of Learner Permits (Provisional Driving Licences) and that this was adding to the difficulties driving instructors were already experiencing due to the economic downturn.