RSA makes €1.7m windfall from L-drivers missing test

Almost 20,000 L-drivers fail to show for their driving test every year, resulting in a €1.7m windfall for the Road Safety Authority.

If an L-driver fails to show for a test, and then reapplies, they are allowed to drive for another 12 months under the L plate. The high level of “no-shows” is attributed to this automatic extension.

Since 2013, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is allowed to pocket the €85 test application fee for every no-show, which nets the authority about €1.7m annually. Any significant reduction in the level of no-shows would have a corresponding reduction in income for the RSA.