'Ridiculous' temporary driving tester contracts not renewed despite lengthy wait times

At the end of May 2024, there were 19,197 people scheduled to sit a driving test in the next four weeks, while 60,922 learner drivers were waiting to receive an invitation to book their test.

Contracts for temporary driving testers are not renewed because the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is “not permitted to do so”, despite the high numbers of people waiting for a test.

RSA chief executive Sam Waide told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) it had been sanctioned from the Department of Transport to recruit additional temporary testers to help clear backlogs but had to submit a business case to the department to increase the headcount further.

“As an authority, we would love to retain these individuals,” he told PAC. “But we can’t because we need to follow the rules.” 

In a briefing document to members, the RSA said it was facing challenges to meet an increasing demand for driving tests in recent years.

As well as contracted staff meeting their end dates, further issues came through staff retirement, a need for dedicated staff for truck, bus and motorcycle tests and an 8% increase in applications so far this year alone.

Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster said it was “ridiculous” staff contracts could expire but not be renewed despite the clear need for them.

“That’s insane, given the waiting lists the length and breadth of the State,” she said.

At the end of May 2024, there were 19,197 people scheduled to sit a driving test in the next four weeks, while 60,922 learner drivers were waiting to receive an invitation to book their test.

At the end of August 2023, the national average waiting time to invite for a test was 34.4 weeks. This had fallen by the end of May to 15.6 weeks. However, the service level agreement in place with the Department of Transport is to maintain an average waiting time of 10 weeks.

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“The RSA, with the department's support, continues to operate the service within the current staffing sanction while the longer-term requirements for the service are assessed,” Mr Waide said.

In terms of NCT waiting times, the RSA also acknowledged a backlog had built up here.

Mr Waide said the covid-19 pandemic had “created challenges” for the NCT service. He said Applus, the contractor which operates the NCT on behalf of the RSA, had “not met some of its service level agreements” since the third quarter of 2022.

A penalty of €3.8m was levied for failing to adhere to these levels, which the RSA labelled “service credits”.

However, Mr Wade said the service was now “close” to returning within the agreed levels.

“This backlog has carried forward into 2024 and has reduced the year-to-date average lead time for an appointment for a test, which is currently 13 days,” a briefing for TDs added.