Long test waiting times driving learners crazy
Learner drivers in Westmeath face an estimated 25-week waiting times to sit their driving tests. The RSA has even introduced a queuing system for its online portal, due to exceptional demand.
For those wishing to be invited for a test, the next available slot for Mullingar is November 3; for Athlone, it is December 22.
Graeme Paxton of Graeme’s driving school in Kinnegad said: “The obvious reason that we are in this situation is that there is a lack of testers with the RSA – they are always hiring, but they just haven’t retained enough staff to keep up with demand, especially after Covid, when there was a huge backlog.
“Even with the backlog, the pass rate is relatively low because many people don’t prepare adequately.
“I think that the mandatory lessons requirement needs to be looked at; it takes more than 12 lessons to learn to drive, and not everyone has access to someone’s car to practise in between [lessons].
“While the backlog acts as another opportunity to get more practice in, many people stop after the 12 lessons, and that may cause them to fail, which is another burden for the test centres.”
Like many other TDs, Robert Troy has called for a “complete overhaul” of driving test services.
He said: “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 target of 10-week waiting times which the RSA must start to meet without any further delays.
“It is clear to me that there are systemic issues within the service which cannot be allowed to continue.”
In response to a query from the Westmeath Examiner, the RSA said in a statement: “In 2024, a total of 253,850 driving tests were conducted, up from 196,853 in 2023, making it a record year for the delivery of tests.
“The delivery of 253,850 tests was only possible due to the support of our testing staff through significant levels of overtime and improvements in operational efficiencies.
“A recruitment campaign for new driver testers was launched following government approval for increased permanent sanctions in September 2024.
“This will increase the number of permanent, sanctioned testers from 130 to 200. It should be noted that the number of permanent testers was 100 in 2022, and this rose to 130 following sanction from the department.
“At the end of February, there were 144 permanent testers employed by the RSA, including 28 temporary testers who were successful in the open competition and moved to permanent contracts at the beginning of this year.”