Driving test waiting times to be cut to 10 weeks, says RSA
Currently, provisional licence-holders are waiting an average of 27 weeks for their test. And there is an 'unprecedented' backlog of 100,000 L-plate drivers seeking a test date.
Now Road Safety Authority (RSA) staff have offered to work bank holidays and conduct tests early in the morning, later in the evening and on Saturdays to bring down the waiting times. Lengthy waiting times for driving tests will be cut to ten weeks by the start of September, the Road Safety Authority has claimed. Pic: Shutterstock
RSA chief Sam Waide apologised for the delays and said: 'Our team has developed a focused, projectionbased plan to improve availability and reduce wait times. Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public.
'The RSA will publish progress updates every fortnight via its website to ensure full transparency and public awareness as the plan advances. We're asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others.'
Learner drivers were also reminded to make sure their car is fit for a test, as more than 4,000 tests could not be carried out this year because cars did not have an NCT disc, were not taxed, the driver was not insured, or the car was not roadworthy. Provisional licence-holders are waiting an average of 27 weeks for their test. Pic: Shutterstock
The RSA's plan includes fast-tracking new examiners, enabling early deployment of them to test centres; longer testing hours, including Saturdays and bank holidays, with tests running from 7.25am to 7pm; and targeted manual intervention in the booking system to ensure test dates are issued to the areas of greatest demand.
The RSA will also open new driving test centres, bringing the national total from the current 41 to 60.
It is also looking at other ways to deal with any potential future surges in demand for driving tests.
The number of driving tests has steadily increased year on year. In 2021 there were 157,183 tests. In 2022 that rose to 180,696 and it hit 212,525 in 2023. The number hit a record 253,850 last year, a 61% increase since 2021. Road Safety Authority (RSA) staff have offered to work bank holidays and conduct tests early in the morning, later in the evening and on Saturdays to bring down the waiting times. Pic: Shutterstock
The wait for learner drivers in April varied significantly depending on the test centre, though all centres had at least a five-month wait.
Navan, Co. Meath, and Tallaght in Dublin had the longest wait at 43 weeks. Galway's Carnmore test centre had the next-longest wait, estimated at 42 weeks.
The centres in Clifden, Co. Galway, Tralee, Co. Kerry, and Gorey, Co. Wexford, had the shortest queue time last month – but applicants still faced a 21-week wait.
Minister of state Seán Canney said that 'all options' are under consideration to address the backlog.
'The service is not right and it needs to be rectified,' he told the Dáil last week. The wait for learner drivers in April varied significantly depending on the test centre, though all centres had at least a five-month wait. Pic: Shutterstock
Mr Canney said he had instructed the RSA to review its plan to get test times down to ten weeks and 'identify further measures that will bring forward the date for achieving the target'.
The new chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Michael Murphy TD, said he was seeking an early meeting with the RSA 'to allow them to outline what they are doing to tackle growing waiting lists for driving tests'.
Out of almost 370,000 L-plate drivers last year, nearly 160,000 were on their second provisional licence at least, while 37,000 drivers have rolled over to at least their fifth.
All face premiums of around €2,000 for annual motor insurance and lose out on significant savings by not passing their test.
Dominic Lumsden of Peopl Insurance said: 'There are substantial savings to be made by moving from a learner permit to a full licence – to the tune of about €386 a year for some young drivers.'
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