Portlaoise has longer wait time for driving tests than most centres in Ireland

People waiting to take their driving test in Portlaoise have a slightly longer wait time than other centres across the country.

The majority of driver testing centres across the country are now operating within a 10-week service level agreement, according to an update from the Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney TD.

However, the estimated waiting time for the test centre in Portlaoise is now 13 weeks. Portlaoise is among the 18 test centres across Ireland which has a waiting time between 10 and 15 weeks.

These figures are based on the latest report from the RSA, covering progress up to Saturday, January 24.

In the update from Minister Canney, it states that of the 57 centres currently in operation, 35 are operating at or below a 10 week wait. A further 18 centres have a wait period of between 10 and 15 weeks and 4 centres have waiting times in excess of 15 weeks. 

Laois' neighbouring counties Carlow and Offaly have a lower waiting time, with Tullamore and both test centres in Carlow all within the 10 week period. 

Portlaoise is above the national average waiting time of 10.3 weeks. This national average is a slight improvement on the 10.6 weeks recorded by the RSA at the end of 2025.

Minister Canney said these updates form part of a series of reports he has received following his direction to the RSA to reduce waiting times from a high of 27 weeks at the end of April.

He said the national 10 week waiting period was achieved in September, with the focus since then on sustaining performance while demand remains elevated.

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The update also states that there are currently 196 testers in service across the country. This number is expected to rise to 200 by the end of February following the completion of the next recruitment and training programme.

The number of people waiting for tests across Ireland has slightly reduced from over 80,000 to under 79,000. 

Minister Canney also noted that enhanced monthly metrics are now being introduced to monitor the impact of the forthcoming multiple learner permit policy as it moves towards implementation later this year.