Longford has shortest wait time for driving tests

Motorists in certain regions of the country are currently facing waiting times of nearly a year to sit their driving tests, as reported in the latest data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Independent TD for Cork South West, Michael Collins, raised the issue in Dáil Éireann last week.

The figures show that the number of eligible learner drivers awaiting an invitation to book their driving tests has increased by 61% over the past year, reaching a total of 71,554 individuals (up from 44,545 in October 2022);

Deputy Collins pointed out that Government commitments made in April of this year to recruit an additional 75 driver testers have not been fulfilled and waiting times now exceeded the official target by three times.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers said the increase in demand for driving tests and associated lengthening of the average wait time has been caused by a number of factors: “These including an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the driver theory test system and an increase in the capacity of advanced driving instructors to deliver lessons to learner drivers. These factors have increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their actual test.”

Longford driving instructor Derek Creighton says the four month wait can be inconvenient, but is a lot better than other areas: “It's not too bad in Longford, but nationwide it is a significant problem.”

The driving instructor says a number of factors are at play: “It depends on the catchment area and the success rate of the drivers. If students fail they are waiting another five or six weeks for their pre-test.”

Derek says although Longford has the lowest wait time the overall view is that there is a need to reduce the waiting list: “It depends on the person. Some people need the test quicker than others, but for the most part it is a manageable length of time. I think most students would like to have it down to two months or a month.”