RSA Launches Action Plan to Cut Driving Test Waiting Times from 27 to 10 Weeks

The Road Safety Authority has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to tackle Ireland's driving test crisis, with ambitious plans to reduce waiting times from the current 27 weeks to just 10 weeks by early September 2025.

The urgent intervention comes as 100,000 learner drivers remain stuck in an unprecedented backlog, prompting Government intervention to address what has become a significant barrier to employment, education and daily life for thousands of Irish residents.

Immediate Measures to Boost Capacity

The RSA's action plan centres on several key initiatives designed to dramatically increase testing capacity across the country. The authority is fast-tracking the training of new driving test examiners through additional training facilities and a revised training approach that allows new staff to be deployed to test centres more quickly.

Testing hours are being significantly expanded, with examiners working overtime during weekday evenings, Saturdays and bank holidays. Tests will now run from 7:25am until 7pm, maximising the use of available daylight hours and examiner availability.

The booking system is also receiving targeted manual intervention to ensure test invitations are directed to areas experiencing the highest demand, creating more efficient allocation of available slots.

Infrastructure Expansion

To support the increased testing schedule, new driving test centres will open in key locations, bringing the national total to 60 centres. This expansion represents a significant investment in testing infrastructure designed to serve areas where demand has consistently outstripped supply.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport Séan Canney has also directed the RSA to examine both internal and external contingency measures to prepare for potential future surges in demand.

Unprecedented Growth in Demand

The current crisis reflects a dramatic surge in demand for driving tests over recent years. The number of tests conducted has increased by 61% since 2021, rising from 157,183 tests in 2021 to 253,850 last year. The year-on-year growth shows 180,696 tests in 2022 and 212,525 in 2023.

Public Appeal for Cooperation

RSA Chief Executive Officer Sam Waide offered a sincere apology to those affected by the delays, acknowledging the particular impact on people who need licences for work, college or caring responsibilities.

"Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public," Waide said, whilst asking customers to cancel appointments early if they cannot attend, allowing slots to be redistributed to other learners.

The RSA also highlighted that over 4,000 tests this year could not proceed due to issues such as vehicles lacking valid NCT, tax, insurance or being deemed unroadworthy, urging better preparation from test candidates.

Transparency and Progress Monitoring

The authority has committed to publishing progress updates every fortnight on its website to ensure transparency as the action plan advances. The full action plan and current waiting times information are available on the RSA website.

The success of this initiative will be closely monitored as the September deadline approaches, with the potential for additional measures if targets are not met.