Driving test services in urgent need of reform

The driving test service needs to be “urgently overhauled” to address the long waiting lists and last minute cancellations.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Robert Troy, says his constituents frequently raise the subject: “My office are consistently dealing with issues arising from a poor service being offered by the RSA in relation to driving test services.

“These issues relate to long waiting times, which are as high as 26 weeks in some local centres, but also last minute cancellations and poor communications.”

The RSA, who oversee driver testing service, are set to increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery.

In September 2024 the Department of Transport sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for testers to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.

The recruitment process is underway, with the new testers set to be deployed into service. As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase and progress should be seen on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.

The RSA have been set a target to restore the 10-week waiting time target as soon as possible. When this plan was first put forward the target was November 2025. This was deemed not acceptable given the level of delays already being suffered by learner drivers.

“I am not seeing any evidence that these sanctions have brought about an improvement in services,” Minister Troy told the Westmeath Examiner, “in two recent example’s which I am aware of locally one applicant received a cancellation text message as they waited at the door of the test centre, which was locked at the time.”

The Minister of State said the problems need to be addressed: “In a second case an applicant booked a test date through the portal and immediately received a cancellation notice.

“I have brought these cases to the attention of the Minister for Transport, and the CEO of the RSA and have also sought a full and immediate review of driving test services with a clear, short term plan for driving down waiting times.

“It is clear to me that there are systemic issues within the service which cannot be allowed to continue.”

Minister Troy said the service musty improve: “There is an obligation on the RSA to drastically improve this service which is currently affecting young people who may be waiting to take up employment, or urgently need a driving licence for a variety of other reasons.

There is a clear target of 10 week waiting times which the RSA must start to meet without any further delays” he concluded.