More than 70,000 waiting for driving tests amid highest ever number of applications

Young people in particular have been highlighting the delay in waiting for a test as they return to college.

A total of 71,554 people are “ready” for a driving test around the country but are waiting for an examiner to become available, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The figures come as test centres are experiencing the “highest number of applications for driving licences ever”.

Despite the numbers, more than 48,000 did not respond to an invitation to take the test. 

RSA chief executive Sam Waide told the Irish Examiner there has been a significant increase in applications for driving tests “never experienced before”.

“The people who are ready and waiting for a test is 71,554” he said.

“To put that into context, at the moment we are doing 4,000 tests per week and are bringing on board more driver testers.

“In terms of context, pre covid, there was circa 250,000 learning permits in the country, so the demand for a driving licence, there’s been a 53% percent increase in people applying for a driver’s licence.

“There are now over 350,000 learner permits in the country compared with pre covid. It is a significant increase.

“Joint oireachtas committees have shared this increasing demand and with the public service, you need the necessary resources to meet that demand.

“The demand, it doesn’t seem to be abating the demand continues and it is the highest demand we have ever had. 

"People are also coming to live in the country and one of the first things they do is apply for a driving test”.

Mr Waide was speaking as the RSA launched its Vision Zero Campaign — a worldwide commitment that is aiming for no road deaths or serious injuries by 2050.

Young people in particular have been highlighting the delay in waiting for a test as they return to college.

Test centres are experiencing the 'highest number of applications for driving licences ever.'

The RSA said it has been recruiting nationally for driving examiners and recently hired 18 more testers.

“There is an average waiting period of 30 weeks, in some cases it’s 18 weeks. We apologise for any delays” said Mr Waide. 

“The latest group of testers that have come in the door is 18 but what we have done is quite an intensive training programme over an eight-to-10-week period of training.

“They are ready to start conducting tests, with the public this month. There is going to be another cohort to come in before Christmas. 

"We have recruited more people, and they will be ready to deliver the tests at Christmas and we are trying to meet this demand.”

Mr Waide added there are also more than 28,000 people who have applied for a test who are not eligible.

“They have applied maybe not knowing but it not helpful to clog up the system when they are not ready for a test, so they have to actually carry out the mandatory number of driving lessons.

“For us, the priority is the people who are ready and eligible, that’s 71,554. There are 28,000 not ready but have applied.

“There is also a separate cohort of people who have been invited for a driving test, more than 48,000 who have not replied. 

"It is like being invited to a very important meeting and they have just not replied.

“They are separate to the 71,554. As a public service we can only invite people.”