Learner drivers in Laois are waiting an average of 26 weeks to sit their driving test with the figures being described as "shocking" by a local TD.
The huge issue surrounding driving test wait times was raised in the Dáil by Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley this week when he said there are 1,092 people waiting in
Portlaoise and only 216 of these are scheduled for a test.
The numbers waiting for a test are shocking," said Deputy Stanley.
“The importance of the driving licence issue cannot be overstated, in particular for workers in rural areas. For example, in
County Laois, many workers have to get to work in Portlaoise,
Mountmellick,
Portarlington or Graiguecullen and they are travelling from outlying areas such as the Swan, Ballinakill, Errill, Rathdowney and other areas where there is no public transport early in the morning, or any area in the Slieve Bloom mountains, such as Camross, Clonaslee and places like that."
"It is important that we fix this. Public transport will never cover all townlands, and I accept that. We are trying to link up the villages and great progress has been made on this with Local Link, but often a village is five miles away and people need a car to get there. People also need a driver's licence for their employment. Take, for example, home helps as typical. People in construction and delivery drivers all need a clean driver licence.
"There has been a big crackdown on driving with a provisional licence and the Gardai are very active on it. We accept this needs to happen. People cannot be on a provisional licence forever. There is also the fact that a lot of young drivers pay sky-high insurance because they cannot get a driver test, or a second or third driver test to get over the line to get a full driver's licence.
"It is very important that we improve and shorten testing times. This has gone on for years. I and other Deputies have raised this many times over several years with various Ministers, but it has got worse. The figures for those waiting for a test, and the length of time they are waiting, are absolutely shocking. The average estimated wait time is 27 weeks, as the Minister of State confirmed this. For an invitation, which does not guarantee a test, the wait time is six months in Birr in Offaly and more than six months in Portlaoise. There could be an additional six, seven, eight or nine weeks before people actually get the test. I have the figures that show this. I tried it myself on the website to see what would happen and it confirmed that it takes more than seven months to get an invitation."
Transport Minister Sean Canney said he has put pressure on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to publish and deliver on their plan to address Driver Testing delays, following a meeting with RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide this week.
Minister Canney instructed the RSA to bring forward new measures to address the unacceptable waits for tests faced by those learning to drive.
"The provision of a timely and efficient driver testing service is a key priority for me. The experience of learner drivers seeking a driver test over the last number of years has been unacceptable and the service being offered needs to be greatly improved as soon as possible", said Minister Canney.
"The driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the RSA and is run independently from the Department of Transport by the RSA.
"To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, in September 2024 the Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. The first tranche of new testers has been deployed into service. Additional testers will enter the system over the coming months."
The average national wait for a driving test is currently 27 weeks. The RSA has committed to Minister Canney that this will be reduced to 22 weeks by end May, to 18 weeks at end June and that the service will be returned to the target average wait of 10 weeks by early September at the latest.
In Laois, learner drivers are waiting an average of 26 weeks, compared to 17 weeks 12 months ago. Pass rates are an average of 55%. There have also been 33 no-shows since January 2025.
The RSA was instructed by Minister Canney to publish their plan next week, showing their projections of average wait time and numbers of tests to be carried out on a fortnightly basis to end 2025.
The Minister further instructed the RSA to report publicly and to him fortnightly on delivery of their plan, with any deviations from projected timelines to be immediately addressed with the Department of Transport.
While the proposed timeline from the RSA is an improvement, Minister Canney has instructed the RSA to make contingency preparations to bring in additional resources to provide for further testing capacity, should it become clear the RSA timelines will not be met.
These plans need to be ready to be activated quickly should the need arise. The plans are to be developed in collaboration with the existing driver testers and their representative bodies.
Speaking on the RSA plan, Minister Canney said: "I welcome the RSA plan to bring wait times down to 10 weeks by no later than early September and I expect the RSA to fully deliver on this commitment.
"There can be no deviation from this timeline and I have instructed the RSA to ensure contingency plans and remedial measures are in place and ready to deploy to ensure that no slippage occurs.
"I have also instructed the RSA to publish their plan, progress reports, projected wait times and driver tester numbers by centre to ensure that the public is fully informed of the progress being made."
