RSA to open new test centres and expand operating hours to reduce waiting times 

Junior transport Minister Sean Canney last week said the Government “does not consider the current situation acceptable”, adding that the RSA was planning to have the 10-week waiting time in place by the end of the year. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA 

New driving test centres in "key areas" of the country and testing on bank holidays form part of the Road Safety Authority’s new plan to drastically cut lengthy waiting times which have caused a backlog of 100,000.

The RSA said it has been tasked with cutting driving test waiting times from an average of 27 weeks to 10 weeks by early September. Today it unveils its “urgent response amid unprecedented demand”.

“We know how frustrating and disruptive these delays are — especially for people who need a licence for work, college, or caring responsibilities,” RSA chief executive Sam Waide said.

“I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone who has been affected. Our team has developed a focused, projection-based plan to improve availability and reduce wait times.” 

The plan includes:

• The “accelerated” training of new testers through the use of additional training facilities, and a new approach to training that will see testers deployed earlier to centres.
• Expanded testing hours, including overtime for weekday evenings, Saturdays and bank holidays, with tests running from 7.25am to 7pm.
• Manual interventions in the booking system to make sure invitations are issued to areas of greatest demand 
• New driving test centres in “key areas”, bringing the national total to 60.

The RSA has come in for sustained criticism in recent months for the delays to driving tests, with issues facing those with long waits raised frequently in the Dáil.

Junior transport Minister Sean Canney last week said the Government “does not consider the current situation acceptable”, adding that the RSA was planning to have the 10-week waiting time in place by the end of the year.

In its statement today, the RSA said it has also been directed by the minister to examine “contingency measures” inside and outside the organisation to deal with any future demand surge for driving tests.

Demand for driving tests has risen 61% since 2021, with 157,183 conducted that year compared to 253,850 last year.

The body added that it will publish its progress on reducing the waiting time to 10 weeks on a fortnightly basis.

Mr Waide added: “Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public.

“We’re asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others. Every cancelled slot that’s re-used helps us reduce the backlog faster.

“Also, we’re urging customers to ensure they prepared for their test as over 4,000 tests so far this year couldn’t be conducted for reasons such as vehicles without a valid NCT, Tax, Insurance or not deemed roadworthy.”