There are just two permanent driving testers to cover all of Donegal’s test centres, it was revealed this week.
The backlog of pending driving tests in Donegal has sparked a renewed call for more testers.
Learner drivers in Donegal now face a wait of up to 5 months for their test. The three test centres in the county at Donegal Town, Buncrana and Letterkenny, have been listed among those with the longest waiting times in Ireland.
Inishowen Cllr Nicholas Crossan raised a motion at yesterday’s Donegal County Council meeting to ask Minister for Transport Shane Ross for more permanent driving testers to alleviate the backlog.
Cllr Crossan said: “Two weeks ago Buncrana had the unenviable task of being the longest town waiting list in Ireland. I think it’s unacceptable and an attack on rural Ireland.
“If you apply for your test today, you would probably get a call in August, if you are in the 40% failure rate, your next test will be in January.
“Last year I wrote to the Minister when seven new testers were being appointed. Not only did we not get a tester in Donegal, we didn’t get one in the entire north west of Ireland.
“In 2006, Donegal had six testers, today we have two.”
Cllr Crossan emphasised that at least two permanent testers would be needed to alleviate the backlog, as the council agreed to write to the Minister and the RSA.
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