Dublin driving test centre reaches 'disgraceful' 43-week wait
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Learner drivers are currently facing a 43-week wait for a test in Tallaght.
As of the end of April, the backlog at the test centre had risen to 20,442. This is up 1,555 from the end of 2024. The waiting time for a test at the centre is now 43 weeks, compared to 26 at the end of last year. Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward said the waiting times are "shocking" and "disgraceful".
"This is far beyond the statutory minimum of 10 weeks," he said. 'It is unacceptable that waiting times have been allowed to increase so much over such a short period of time.
'I have repeatedly raised this issue with government calling for an additional driving test centre to be opened in South Dublin. Even though the RSA have said that they will be placing a new test centre in South Dublin , there is no urgency.
'In February Sinn Féin brought forward a Private Member's Bill, offering a range of measures to tackle the huge backlog. While the government did not oppose our motion, they certainly have ignored it ever since allowing waiting times and numbers to skyrocket."
Mr Ward said there needs to be "urgency from both the government and the RSA" on the issue. "People rely on being able to drive for their education, employment, access to healthcare and everything in between," he said.
'I am calling on the government to urgently implement Sinn Féin's proposals which include increased resourcing to meet demand, expediting and increasing the recruitment of driving test instructors, and plugging the gaps in driving test centre locations.
'The government has a long way to go to getting this right. The new test centre in South Dublin will be much needed step in the right direction.'
Dublin Live has contacted the Road Safety Authority for comment.
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