Driving test wait times 'well ahead' of mid-August target, RSA say
The organisation said it has surpassed its own mid-August target and is moving closer to meeting its Service Level Agreement (SLA) goal.
Advertisement
As of August 14th, 2025, the average national waiting time for a driving test invitation has dropped to 13.5 weeks, which the RSA described as 'well ahead' of its target of 16 weeks for this stage.
Two weeks ago, the waiting time was 14.1 weeks, and at the end of April, the waiting time peaked, with a 27-week wait.
The RSA said the progress follows the implementation of its Driving Test Action Plan, launched in May in response to 'an unprecedented surge in demand.'
The plan set out a path to bring the average waiting time down to the SLA target of 10 weeks by September.
Advertisement
Measures the authority introduced include a recruitment drive to increase testing capacity, enhanced scheduling to maximise available slots, and the expansion of testing resources nationwide.
Brendan Walsh, chief operating officer of the RSA, said that the results were a 'clear sign' of the action plan working.
'We've made significant strides in just a few months, thanks to the dedication of our staff and the support of the Department of Transport,' he said.
The RSA reminded applicants that they can help improve access to driving tests for others by cancelling in advance if they cannot attend.
To ensure the best chance of success, candidates have been advised to read all test preparation materials in advance, attend the correct test centre, and be fully prepared and arrive early.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Apps cut driving test waiting times by monitoring cancellations at nearby centres
There are apps that can alert you of driving test cancellations, and one can even automatically book a slot for you. If you're looking to get your driving test done as soon as possible, it might be worth downloading the DriveNow app or the DrivingTest Helper IE app. Advertisement DriveNow helps you find earlier driving test dates by monitoring cancellations across all Road Safety Authority (RSA) test centres in Ireland. You can get instant notifications when a cancellation becomes available at your preferred test centres. DrivingTest Helper IE can also notify you of cancellations. As well as this, it can automatically book them for you to ensure you do not miss out on a slot. Its system continuously monitors driving test centre across the State, giving learner drivers the edge in securing earlier test dates. One review of the DrivingTest Helper IE app states: "Helped me get a test within two weeks. Very easy to log in every two hours. Would recommend 100%." Another says: "App is amazing add your preferences and you will get a slot accordingly. And if you have any query's the individuals are willing to answer any questions and are truly very helpful 100% recommend for anyone."
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Millions of drivers BANNED if they fail key compulsory test under plans for major law change – will you be affected?
MILLIONS of drivers will be banned if they fail a compulsory test under plans for a major law change. Ministers are mulling bringing in a new rule for older drivers in England and Wales. 4 4 Mandatory eye tests for drivers over the age of 70 are being considered alongside a range of other measures, The Times reports. The proposals also include reducing the drink-drive limit and tougher penalties on uninsured drivers and those who fail to wear a seatbelt. They will belong to a new road safety strategy that the government plans to publish this autumn. The change would mark the biggest shake-up of driving rules for nearly two decades, since the Road Safety Act introduced under Tony Blair in 2006. Over-70s would be required to undertake an eye-test every three years. A potential medical test for conditions, such as dementia, is also reportedly being looked at alongside eye tests. People over 70 already lose their C1 and D1 entitlements on their license. C1 allows drivers to handle medium-sized vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. D1 entitlements mean drivers can use minibuses that have less than 16 passengers. Older drivers under the new rules could also be faced with further regulations due to concerns over the number of road accidents that have seen a recent increase after years of decline. Major New Driving Laws for Summer & Fall 2025: What You Need to Know Last year, 1,633 people were killed in road traffic accidents, and nearly 28,000 were seriously injured. This now equates to around one casualty every 18 minutes, despite numbers almost halving from 41,000 to 24,000 between 2000 and 2010. On top of that, the number of drivers over the age of 60 involved in serious or fatal collisions in the UK has also risen by 47 per cent since 2010. Incidents of people being killed in drink-driving incidents have also risen over the past decade, reaching a 13-year high in 2022. Ministers are therefore thinking about a implementing reforms to Britain's road safety measures, with the UK being considered to have the "laxest" rules in Europe. It is the one of only three countries to rely on the self-reporting of visual conditions among individuals who deem their ability to drive affected. This comes with the rise in drug-driving incidents, as well as those involving older people who continue to drive with failing sight or other medical conditions. Transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, has been developing a wide-range of new safety measures and increased penalties for breaking the law. Current key road safety messages and penalties such as around wearing seatbelts and avoiding drink-driving are considered to no longer be working. The percentage of casualties killed while not wearing a seatbelt has risen from 21 per cent in 2014 to 25 per cent in 2023. 4 4 For back seat passengers, this increased to 40 per cent, with 181 fatalities in 2023, compared to 142 passengers killed not wearing a seatbelt in 2020. Currently, drivers not wearing seatbelts are issued three penalty points, and a maximum court fine of £500. Passengers with a licence, who do not wear a seatbelt, can be issued two penalty points. Along with new proposals around drink and drug-driving limits, and criminal penalties for driving without insurance, the strategy is due to be published in the autumn. It will be put out for consultation, with parts expected to require primary legislation. Edmund King, AA president, said: 'It is in everyone's interests to tackle road safety and bring the levels of death and serious injuries down significantly. 'In other countries, such as Australia and Canada, the introduction of new measures to help young drivers have reduced death and serious injury from between 20 per cent and up to 40 per cent. "Hence if the UK scheme saw similar reductions, it is estimated that at least 58 deaths and 934 serious injuries could be prevented each year.' He also brought up the need for increased police enforcement to ensure rules are followed. "The stark reality is that, as well as better education and tougher rules, we need more officers to police the streets — at least 1,000 more roads officers, not only to act as a deterrent, but to stop dangerous drivers in the act before a tragedy happens," King added. Director of the RAC Foundation, Steve Gooding, stated that full evidence of eye testing should also be a standard component to driver licensing when first applying, and at each renewal. 'It will be important for any new strategy to recognise the priorities that we and others have highlighted — focusing on young drivers, crash investigation and mandatory fitment of safe-driving features in new cars — but also to maintain activity on established issues such as drink and drug-driving and seatbelt wearing.'
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Aviva share price highest since 2007 after profit jumps by a fifth
Insurance giant Aviva has said its profits surged by a fifth over the first half of 2025, sending its share price to the highest level since before the 2008 financial crisis. The latest results come as it said its tie-up with rival Direct Line was 'well under way'. The company reported an operating profit of £1.1 billion for the first six months of 2025. This was an increase of 22% compared with the same period a year ago. Aviva said it was driven primarily by growth in its UK and Ireland general insurance business and wealth and retirement. General insurance premiums – how much a customer pays for an insurance policy – leapt by 9% year-on-year to total £4.1 billion across the region. Profits for the division soared by 50% thanks to strong underwriting activity and improved returns of investment in the UK. But this was partly offset by the impact of Storm Eowyn in Ireland, where record-breaking winds cut electricity supplies to hundreds of thousands of homes, schools and businesses. Aviva's share price jumped by about 4% on Thursday to hit the highest level since late 2007, before the global financial crisis. Aviva completed its £3.7 billion takeover of Direct Line last month. Aviva said that merging the two companies was now 'well under way' adding that it was 'moving at speed to improve performance, drive financial benefits and unlock the full potential of the combined business'. Chief executive Amanda Blanc said: 'The combined business is a UK market leader with over 21 million customers, or four in 10 adults, and we are confident the deal will contribute significantly to Aviva's future growth.' Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, said the takeover will 'further cement Aviva's leading positions particularly in the home and car insurance markets'. He said: 'While car insurance has seen a substantial increase in premiums to the exasperation of many consumers, the space has been affected by both higher average new car prices as well as the costly nature of repairing increasingly complex and technologically advanced vehicles.' Meanwhile Admiral, which sells car, home, travel and pet insurance, also said that its pre-tax profit soared by 69% over the first half of 2025, compared to 2024. This was driven by its UK insurance division winning more sales and customers for motor policies.
