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NEW STATISTICS HAVE shown that 225,000 are currently on waiting lists for theory and driving tests.
The figures were released as part of a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke and include a breakdown of the waiting lists for each test centre.
Figures released by the Road Safety Authority, show 105,216 people are now waiting for a driving test, while a further 119,253 people are on the theory test list.
The longest queue for a theory test is in Dublin North, where 11,181 are waiting. Outside of the capital, Cork has 6,485 on its waiting list, Carlow has 4,307 people, and Athlone has 2,864 scheduled tests from July to December.
There is a fall off in the number of people due to sit a test over time, with most people scheduled in July and the least scheduled for December.
In terms of the practical driving test, the biggest queues are all in Dublin, with the highest number of people waiting in Tallaght (7,394), followed by Finglas (4,656) and Dun Laoighaire (3,801).
Outside of Dublin, Cork has 3,555 people waiting and Naas has 3,318.
Darren O’Rourke, a Meath TD and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, criticised Transport Minister Eamon Ryan for the length of the lists.
“The Minister seems to have been asleep at the wheel for most of the past year. He showed no interest in what was clearly becoming an enormous problem,” he said.
“It’s predominantly young people affected by these delays, which is having a massive impact on their lives.
“The delays are impacting their employment opportunities and will become a major problem for many as they return to college in September. Young people deserve better.
“We need to increase testing and theory testing capacity immediately. This should include the fast-track recruitment of staff, longer opening hours, and the establishment of pop-up centres where necessary.”
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Driving lessons will also become a major issues with waiting lists for these also. Once these young people get their Covid-19 passport vaccine maybe they should be allowed get lessons and test. Many might see this as something more important than getting into a pub for a drink and a meal.
@Hugh Mc Donnell: they’re already a problem. None of the places I contacted for lessons even got back to me
My son was due to take his test Monday morning but the tester decided to cancel it at the last minute due to an issue with a temporary insurance disc that was out of our control and we have since found out from the insurance company that the disc is the correct and only one available. So we have to reapply again and pay another €85 and go to the back of the queue. He didn’t even give us a chance to show the proof of the insurance. We first applied for the test June 2020!
@Trish O’Brien: sue the tester for loss of earnings
I’m sure the department have been using this time and spare resources to improve and develop the whole practical and theory testing and curriculum. I mean they’ve hardly sat back and not taken the opportunity!!!
Also when you get your theory. You need to have your PSC card in order to apply for your provisional license. There is a backlog for this already so young people have to join another queue.
Why do you need a PSC if you have a valid passport as identification?
This requirement seemed to be changed around 2018/19 so change it back!
@Patrick: this is untrue you do not need the psc card , on the application it’s still a requirement but shouldn’t be that was abolished.
Time for class action to sue Ryan , many jobs dependant on licence , one job offered to lad in our house , but when they heard no licence , it was non negotiable, other lad has had his theory cancelled from May to June now end of August , we live bout the country no buses , car is a vital asset , he has his car now nearly paid for but can’t even start lessons
Simple solution Theory Online with immediate effect
Driving instructors sign off students as competent with control measures or lessons etc and random testing of sample learners until they have caught up with the back log .
Sure, give out the licences again like the old days… Good times.
@Stu Cullum: that’s SF policy..same as housing…one for everybody in the audience.
@Stu Cullum: Agreed. In the circumstances, as a once off, young people should be issued with their driving license if they have attended all their training. NCT was, in effect issued to all to continue driving without the actual NCT test. Schedule a driving test for those who missed it over the next 3 years …
Passed my theory just as Covid took hold in February 2020. With the lockdown etc still haven’t completed my 12 EDT lessons . Only started it again after 8 months. With 1 hour offered to me a month. Absolute joke. Be two years by the time I’ve it completed.
Waiting since June 6th 2020.
Understandable, although there should be an official cancellation register portal as apposed to ringing and hoping on a daily basis.
My son was booked to do his test on Monday morning but the tester cancelled it at the last minute due to a query he had about the temporary insurance disc which we have since found out from the insurance company is the correct and only disc available, he didn’t even ask for see proof of the insurance. So now we have to reapply, pay another €85 and go to back of the queue. We first applied for the test in June 2020 and waited a full year!
@Trish O’Brien: omg that’s terrible, I’d definitely ring up and fight a case that it was the testers fault, and not only do you want an urgent test in the next week or two, but you should NOT have to pay again either.
All political, if everyone was allowed to sit the theory test the waiting list for the practical test would sky rocket hence control the numbers taking the theory test.
“Eamon Ryan asleep at the wheel”
Previous leader Shane Ross taking selfie’s at the wheel!
Previous RSA leader MM now doing a smash up job for the insurance companies.
Sadly the Current government leadership is in no hurry to change the status quo
——-
redeploy the Army transport vehicle maintenance school personnel to assist with urgent road test cases where a person’s job is at stake.
Temporarily hire and certify young driver ed teachers to assist with reducing the road test backlog.
overhaul the RSA staff Culture to get them to view the public as their customer
For returning emigrants-
Allow any driver with 5 or more years of world wide driving experience to drive alone with an “L” Decal
The driving here is atrocious don’t know how most passed
1\4million more cars on the road emo Ryan will chewing his shorts
One can do the theory test online but BUT you have to use an old Windows laptop. I am due to have mine next week, and am now on the hunt for such a laptop as mine is too new. Cannot make this up. My laptop won’t download the application needed for the theory test because “application is out of date and cannot be scanned for malware”. Hello, another cyber attack Irish government.
Thank you lord I passed my driving test in 2012. I don’t have to put up with this. I feel for those waiting for their test though, so the best of luck to them.
Go to another country to do the test but this will require to speak more than 1 language and some money to spare (e.g. germany calculate 2000€ minimum + accomodation)
have your say