Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
658. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1463 of 18 March 2026, his views on any progress referred to; and the actions that have been taken during this time to achieve such objectives (details supplied). [24250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the provision of test centres.
Since taking office, reducing driver test waiting times has been a key priority for me. In May 2025, I directed the RSA to produce and publish a service recovery plan to meet the 10-week average national waiting time target by September 2025, which the RSA achieved.
The latest information available to me from the RSA indicates that as of 4 April, the average national waiting time for a driving test was 11.9 weeks. While this marks a significant improvement on the 27-week average wait time in April 2025, it is above the 10 week target and it is important that those seeking to sit a test can do so in a timely manner. It should be noted that the RSA has indicated that the service continues to see higher demand in 2026, with 20% more applications received at end March when compared to the same period in 2025. A factor in the current higher demand for testing is the tightening of the restrictions on multiple learner permits, as drivers seek tests before the new restrictions come into effect later this year. Driver test service improvements allowed me to sign regulations to end the practice of learner drivers continually rolling over learner permits without ever sitting a driving test and these regulations will take effect from 1 November 2026. As the Deputy will be aware from a road safety perspective, it is vital that learners complete the learning to drive process and become fully qualified drivers, and that people do not hold learner permits without ever taking a driving test.
I am informed by the RSA that it is continuing to work towards reducing average wait times and to focus on addressing test centres with higher demand and wait times. In September 2024, my Department conveyed sanction for 70 additional driver testing posts on a permanent basis, bringing the permanent sanction to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022. As of 4 April, 193 testers are in place, which marks a significant increase on the 151 available at the beginning of 2025. The RSA is working to reach its full complement of 200 testers subject to the successful training and onboarding of new recruits.
The RSA has indicated that overtime and bank holiday testing will continue throughout 2026. I would also highlight that, to manage demand effectively at national level, testers, although formally assigned to specific centres, are routinely deployed to other locations as required. In addition I am informed by the RSA that a new test centre in Drogheda is expected to be operational shortly which should assist in reducing average wait times in the that area.
The driver testing booking system, also now makes available cancelled test slots for candidates to take up at short notice. I would encourage learner drivers awaiting a test to monitor this channel, which may provide an opportunity to book an earlier testing date.
