Driving Test Wait Times Surge to 10.4 Weeks, RSA Reports Urgent Need for Action

UPDATE: The latest report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) reveals that the average waiting time for a car driving test has surged to 10.4 weeks. This alarming increase comes just days after the figure dipped to 9.57 weeks, raising concerns among learners and road safety advocates alike.

In a statement released today, the RSA acknowledged the current waiting times exceed their service-level agreement of 10 weeks. The authority emphasized their commitment to reducing this average further, stating, “This is not the finish line – we know that some learners are still waiting longer than they should, and we are determined to fix that.”

The report highlights a troubling trend: while some test centers have improved their waiting times, others are falling behind. For instance, candidates in Tallaght, Co Dublin, are still facing a staggering wait of 15 weeks for their tests, despite the center previously showing a significant drop from 36 weeks to 15 weeks in recent months. In contrast, Charlestown has seen waiting times rise from 9 weeks to an unacceptable 17 weeks, the longest in the region.

Parc, a road safety campaign group, has been closely monitoring the RSA’s data. Chairperson Susan Gray expressed disappointment over the recent increase, labeling the situation as “alarming.” She stated, “We are very disappointed that within five days the average waiting times have increased in some test centres, bringing the average back up from 9.57 to 10.4.”

The RSA is actively working to address these challenges. Since April, they have implemented an action plan that includes recruiting additional testers and reallocating resources to better manage test center capacity. Currently, the RSA is training 200 testers to help alleviate the backlog, following a directive from Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney to reach an average waiting time of 10 weeks by September 1, 2025.

The authority stated, “This reduction, down from 27 weeks at the end of April, reflects the impact and progress of the RSA’s action plan.” However, they also noted that the focus on car tests is temporarily affecting waiting times for other vehicle categories, such as buses and trucks.

As the RSA works towards improving conditions, they urge all learner drivers to stay informed about their local test centers and anticipated wait times. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing efforts are critical to ensuring that all candidates receive timely access to driving tests.

With the waiting time situation developing rapidly, both learners and their families should stay alert to updates from the RSA as they strive to achieve their targets and provide fair access to driving tests across the country.