‘Pop-up’ driving test centres in the works as over 100,000 await tests

As of March 30, just 5,671 of the 100,007 persons waiting for a driving test in Ireland have secured a date for their test.

Up to 20 new ‘pop-up’ testing centres could come on stream to help tackle the driver test backlog.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) currently has 140 testers working in 50 test centres across the country, with 40 new contract testers to come on stream in June to help address the growing waiting list.

In response to a parliamentary question, Minister for Transport Eamonn Ryan said the RSA is planning to expand its Driving Test Centre Network for an interim period of 2 years.

“The plan is to try and provide this capacity as close to the existing test centres and could involve 20 extra sites.” 

Mr Ryan said the plans were in the development phases and could be subject to change.

Over 100,000 learner drivers are now on the waiting list for a driving test, as the backlog continues to grow as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.

Under level 5, only essential workers are permitted to attend a driving test, while driving lessons can only be provided to essential workers who have a date for their test.

As of March 30, just 5,671 of the 100,007 persons waiting for a driving test in Ireland have secured a date for their test.

Of those on the waiting list, over 58,000 are under 30. A further 23,000 people aged between 31 - 40 on the waiting list, the largest cohort awaiting a test.

Some 2,641 people aged over 61 are waiting for a test.

Figures on the test backlogs were provided to Cork East Labour party TD Seán Sherlock in response to a parliamentary question.

A spokesperson for the The Road Safety Authority said anyone applying for a driving test today could expect a wait time of up to 25 weeks “when the service is allowed to operate as normal.”

“At the moment the waiting times are skewed as we can only provide tests for essential workers and this is practically on demand,” they added.

Figures on the test backlogs were provided to Cork East Labour party TD Seán Sherlock in response to a parliamentary question.

Mr Sherlock had requested the number of persons awaiting a driver test per centre and the number of testers currently available per centre in tabular form but was told providing such data would be “extremely unwieldy.” 

“We need to know the breakdown of the pinch points and where the new 20 pop up driving test locations will be come June,” Mr Sherlock said.

“Those areas with the greatest backlog need the extra sites,” he added.