Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2025
159. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that, despite reports to the contrary, waits for driving test appointments appear to be increasing; to address a person’s experience of wait times (details supplied) for both a first-time appointment and a subsequent retest appointment; the most recent steps to address the issue of waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49801/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, this includes all testing and scheduling matters. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, the Deputy will be aware that reducing overall driving test wait times has been one of my key priorities since taking office. To that end I directed the RSA to produce and publish a service recovery plan to meet the 10-week average national waiting time target by September.
I am informed by the RSA that as of 5 September, the national average wait time for a Category B test was 10 weeks, with 43 test centres at or below this timeframe. This marks a significant improvement on the 27-week national average wait time reported at the end of April and marks a return to the 10-week service level agreement (SLA). As of 5 September there were 13 centres above target, and while wait times have reduced at those centres it is important that the RSA continues to focus on addressing the higher wait times at these centres. It should also be noted that new driver test centres in Sandyford and Drogheda are in the final stages and are expected to be operational shortly. This should contribute to further reducing wait times in those areas.
Furthermore, I am informed by the RSA that with the increased testing capacity in the service from the recruitment of new testers, the RSA expect to invite everyone currently on the retest list within the next 8-10 weeks.
The Deputy may wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS.
