Learner drivers face 8-month wait for test in Dún Laoghaire
Learner drivers in Dún Laoghaire face the longest wait times for a test. Pic: Alamy/PA
The Dún Laoghaire/Deansgrange driving test centre has the longest waiting times in the entire country, according to new figures.
The estimated wait time to book a test sits at 31 weeks for this south Dublin test centre, which has been described as “Groundhog Day” by a local area rep.
Aontú representative Mairead Tóibín said up-to-date figures, released to the party through parliamentary questions, found that 9,592 people are waiting for a driving test.
“Last year there were 145 testers; this year it’s 137. So, to use motoring parlance, the whole thing is going backwards,” she said.
“This is quite incredible. How are we ever going to sort this issue out if the basics are not in place? I think having enough driving testers is quite fundamental to coming to grips with the long waiting times.
“This is like Groundhog Day. We’ve been hearing excuses and promises from successive governments, but none has taken the issue by the scruff of the neck and put common-sense measures in place to tackle it.”
She added that the implementation of more testers and tests taking place on public holidays or weekends is essential to tackle the 8-month backlog.
“This isn’t rocket science,” she said.
The RSA previously said the driving test service has experienced “unprecedented demand” over the past two years, with the number of applications in 2022 up by 28pc compared to the record in 2021.
They added that the demand for the service continued to see “increased application volumes throughout 2023”.
The RSA said that while there is some disparity between different test centres, there are a number of factors that influence wait times.
They added that the driver testing service is “working towards reducing those disparities” and balancing nationwide wait times as much as possible.
According to figures from January 1 to March 31, the busiest test centres in Dublin have been Tallaght, Dún Laoghaire/Deansgrange, and Finglas, with high numbers leading to longer waiting times for test appointments.
Mulhuddart follows in second at about 6 months on average for an invitation to book a test, with Tallaght close behind with a 25-week wait.
Killester has an average wait of 19 weeks, and Raheny with a wait of 15 weeks.
Finglas, Charlestown, and Mulhuddart Maple House driving test centres all have a waiting time of 13 weeks for a test, according to RSA figures from the end of March.
