Learner driver traffic jam with more than 200,000 awaiting tests
The jam has sparked calls for the Minister for Transport to act in clearing the backlog.
More than 200,000 people are waiting to sit either their driving test or theory test, new figures have confirmed.
The data has sparked calls for the Minister for Transport to act in clearing the backlog.
Figures have revealed that 101,000 people are waiting to sit their driving test, with a further 105,000 currently waiting to sit their theory test.
People are still waiting to sit their theory test despite many other sectors of society reopening this month.
The RSA told the that the theory test continues to be suspended until further notice and that appointments scheduled over the coming weeks will have to be cancelled and rescheduled.
“Contact has commenced with affected customers and every effort will be made to facilitate them at an early date,” a statement said.
In February, just 54,000 people were booked in to sit a theory test between March 6, 2021 and November 31.
Cork TD Sean Sherlock has said it is the Department of Transport that needs to act to begin to clear the backlogs.
He said that the RSA has plans to offer up to 50,000 theory tests each month for three months once it gets the go-ahead to begin testing again.
“It’s very clear now that the logjams in theory testing are to be found with the department and the minister, rather than the RSA,” the Labour TD said.
“I am informed by the RSA that it has provided clarification and information to the Department of Transport to progress the matter with a view to reopening the service as soon as possible.
“The RSA inform me that once a date is set they have arrangements in place for the service provider to deliver up to 50,000 tests each month for three months."
The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment.
The RSA confirmed that delivery of the 50,000 tests per month will be in place when the service resumes.
“This will help significantly to tackle the backlog of customers waiting for a driver theory test and shorten waiting times.
“This additional capacity will kick-in immediately on resumption of the service.”
The RSA added that the pilot online driver theory test project is currently underway for trucks and buses and that it plans “to start rolling out a pilot phase of the car online service in the coming weeks”.
The RSA said that there will be a limit of up to 4,000 people per month that can avail of the service during the initial pilot phase and it is hoped to be more widely available by the end of the year.
As for the driving test, only essential workers can currently sit the test and the same applies to people wanting to sit driving lessons.
The reported earlier this month the test centres in Dublin, Cork and Kildare had some of the longest waiting lists in the country.
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