Latest news with #DrivingTestActionPlan
Agriland
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Agriland
Driving Test Wait Times Continue to Drop Rsa
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed a continued decline in national driving test waiting times. As of July 12, the average national waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has dropped to 14.4 weeks, surpassing the RSA's mid-July target of 18 weeks by 20%, the authority said. "This marks a further improvement from the 16.3 weeks recorded just two weeks ago, and a dramatic reduction from the peak of 27 weeks at the end of April," the RSA said. "The RSA remains firmly on course to achieve its long-term goal of bringing average waiting times down to 10 weeks by September. "This progress is the result of a series of targeted measures to expand capacity and streamline operations." This week alone, the RSA said that 10 new driving testers have joined the service, with an additional 17 testers beginning training. New test centres in Drogheda and Sandyford are set to become operational by September, while the temporary facility in Naas has been expanded to meet growing demand as negotiations continue for a permanent location. Commenting on the update, Sarah O'Connor, RSA director of partnerships and external affairs, said: 'This steady reduction in waiting times shows that our Driving Test Action Plan is working. "We've made real progress, but we know there's more to do. "With new testers coming on board and new centres opening, we're committed to keeping this momentum going and reaching our 10-week target by September.' The RSA said it "continues to monitor test demand closely and is committed to taking further steps where needed to improve access to the driving test for learner drivers across the country".
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Louth driving test waiting times drop as new Drogheda test centre set to open
As of July 12th, the average national waiting time for a driving test invitation has fallen to 14.4 weeks, well ahead of the RSA's mid-July target of 18 weeks. This marks a strong improvement from 16.3 weeks just two weeks ago, and a sharp drop from the peak of 27 weeks recorded at the end of April. The RSA says it remains on track to meet its goal of reducing average waiting times to 10 weeks by September. Locally, the addition of a new permanent driving test centre in Drogheda, set to open by September, is expected to significantly ease pressure in the Louth and east Meath region, where learner drivers have long faced delays in securing test slots in Dundalk or having to travel to centres outside the county. 'This steady reduction in waiting times shows that our Driving Test Action Plan is working,' said Sarah O'Connor, RSA Director of Partnerships and External Affairs. 'We've made real progress, but we know there's more to do. With new testers coming on board and new centres opening, we're committed to keeping this momentum going and reaching our 10-week target.' The latest improvements are the result of a nationwide recruitment drive, with 10 new testers joining the service this week and another 17 currently in training. Additional test capacity has also been created in centres like Naas, while the new Drogheda facility will be a major boost for the north-east. The RSA says it continues to monitor demand across the country and is committed to adding more resources where needed.
Irish Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
RSA confirm 'significant drop' in driving test wait times
Road safety chiefs have confirmed a 'significant drop' in driving test wait times - owing to the Road Safety Authority's Driving Test Action Plan. As of July 12, the average national waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has dropped to 14.4 weeks, surpassing the RSA's mid-July target of 18 weeks by 20 per cent. This marks a further improvement from the 16.3 weeks recorded just two weeks ago, and a dramatic reduction from the peak of 27 weeks at the end of April. This week alone, 10 new driving testers have joined the service, with an additional 17 testers beginning training. New test centres in Drogheda and Sandyford are set to become operational by September, while the temporary facility in Naas has been expanded to meet growing demand as negotiations continue for a permanent location. New test centres in Drogheda and Sandyford are set to become operational by September (Image: Getty) A spokesperson for the RSA said the authority remains firmly on course to achieve its long-term goal of bringing average waiting times down to 10 weeks by September. They stressed the progress is the result of a series of targeted measures to expand capacity and streamline operations. Commenting on the positive update, Sarah O'Connor, RSA Director of Partnerships and External Affairs, said: 'This steady reduction in waiting times shows that our Driving Test Action Plan is working. 'We've made real progress, but we know there's more to do. With new testers coming on board and new centres opening, we're committed to keeping this momentum going and reaching our 10-week target by September.' The RSA continues to monitor test demand closely and is committed to taking further steps where needed to improve access to the driving test for learner drivers across the country. Get all the big crime and court stories direct to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Average wait time for driving test invite falls to 16.3 weeks
There has been a reduction in waiting times for driving test invitations, with road safety chiefs confirming times should be down to just 10 weeks by September. As of the beginning of July, the average national waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has fallen to 16.3 weeks, well ahead of earlier projections from the Road Safety Authority. A spokesperson for the RSA said it remains 'firmly on track to achieve its goal of reducing average waiting times to 10 weeks' by September 2025. The organisation said this is due to a range of targeted measures implemented to increase capacity and improve efficiency under the ongoing Driving Test Action Plan. Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer of the RSA, said: "The significant reduction in waiting times so far demonstrates our commitment to delivering a more efficient, accessible testing system for all learner drivers. "We know how important this milestone is, and we are determined to continue this momentum through the summer and into autumn." The RSA is encouraging learner drivers to prepare thoroughly, arrive at their test fully ready, and embrace the responsibility that comes with earning a full licence. According to Mr Walsh, this will not only increase the success rate but also contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the national testing system. "So far in 2025, the national pass rate stands at 53 per cent, meaning that almost half of learner drivers must reapply to sit their test again. While we know learners have waited patiently for a test, it is crucial to see the test as a critical step towards becoming a safe, confident, and independent driver." Ahead of their test, learners are encouraged to practice regularly with their sponsor, building confidence in a variety of road and traffic conditions and to familiarise themselves with test requirements as set out in the RSA checklist including vehicle roadworthiness, tax, insurance and NCT requirements. Some of the most common reasons that people fail their test are:
The Journal
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Journal
Driving test wait times are below July projection but six weeks above RSA target
THE AVERAGE NATIONAL waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has fallen to 16.3 weeks, according to the RSA. While this is below the RSA's projection for July it is still six weeks above its target of 10 weeks. The RSA said this reduction is the result of 'continued strong progress in reducing waiting times, as part of its ongoing Driving Test Action Plan '. This plan includes extended testing hours and accelerated training of new testers. As of the end of February, there were 144 permanent testers employed by the RSA. The RSA previously told The Journal that this figure will reach 200 by November. To further alleviate pressure, the RSA will open new driving test centres in 'key areas' to bring the national total to 60 centres. Waiting times At the end of May, driving test waiting times stood at 22 weeks. At the time, Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer of the RSA, said that by July the average wait should be down to 18 weeks. As of this week, that figure is 16.3 weeks, which the RSA said it has achieved 'well ahead of earlier projections'. Advertisement The RSA is still over six weeks off its target of 10 weeks, but a spokesperson said it remains 'firmly on track' to achieve this goal by September. The spokesperson added that this will be the result of a 'range of targeted measures implemented to increase capacity and improve efficiency'. Commenting on this week's update, Walsh described it as a 'significant reduction in waiting times' and an 'important milestone'. 'We are determined to continue this momentum through the summer and into autumn,' he added. Meanwhile, the RSA is encouraging learner drivers to prepare thoroughly, arrive at their test fully ready, and 'embrace the responsibility that comes with earning a full licence'. Walsh said this will 'not only increase the success rate but also contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the national testing system'. So far this year, the national pass rate stands at 53%. 'While we know learners have waited patiently for a test,' said Walsh, 'it is crucial to see the test as a critical step towards becoming a safe, confident, and independent driver.' Walsh encourages students to practice regularly with their sponsor and to familiarise themselves with test requirements as set out in the RSA checklist. He noted that some of the most common reasons that people fail their test include inadequate observation on moving off, at junctions, roundabouts, and changing lanes. Other common reasons for failure include incorrect road positioning, a failure to anticipate the actions of other drivers, incorrect use of mirrors and signals, and inadequate progress at junctions and roundabouts. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
