Driving testers at the Road Safety Authority (RSA), who are members of the Fórsa trade union, have voted in favour of taking industrial action.

The union has accused the RSA of failing to ensure that testers are fully and unconditionally covered by the State Claims Agency while carrying out their duties.

Fórsa also said that the current insurance verification system leaves driver testers at risk when carrying out their work as there is no way to verify whether vehicles presented for driving tests are fully insured, and therefore driving testers may not be fully indemnified.

The ballot saw 95% voting in favour with a turnout of 83%.

Fórsa said it will raise its concerns at a meeting at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which is due to take place on 20 January and will then determine its next steps.

"The ballot result demonstrates that members want this issue resolved once and for all," said Fórsa official Ruairí Creaney.

"Driver testers cannot be expected to get into vehicles to do their jobs when they have no clarity on whether the vehicle is uninsured."

"We need a straightforward guarantee of indemnity for driver testers, and a proper insurance verification system," Mr Creaney said.

The RSA said it notes the outcome of the ballot.

"The RSA also notes that there is a confirmed WRC hearing date to consider this matter in full and looks forward to engaging with staff representatives," a spokesperson said.

"The RSA also confirms that driver testers are fully indemnified whilst carrying out their duties as public servants," they added.

The authority previously said that it appreciates the concerns of driver testers and has engaged regularly with Fórsa on the matter.

The RSA said it was keen to resolve the situation and had agreed with Fórsa to jointly refer the matter to the WRC.