Progress is continuing on a drive to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.
The average waiting time across the country now stands at just over 16 weeks, down from 27 weeks at the end of April.
Applicants must first await an invitation to book their car driving tests before proceeding with the examination.
Locally in Letterkenny, the current waiting period for test invites is 13 weeks, with the next invitations expected to be issued in October, 2025. The Donegal test centre reports a shorter wait of 11 weeks before test invitations are sent out to applicants.
The Department of Transport and the RSA have agreed to an action plan with the goal of reducing the waiting time to a maximum of ten weeks by September 2025.
The RSA reports that 18 additional testers will begin conducting driving tests this week, followed by a further 12 in two weeks’ time.
The RSA expects to have its full sanction of 200 driver testers in place by September.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “This is a substantial reduction in driving test waiting times since the high of 27 weeks at the end of April. I welcome the engagement of Minister Canney with the RSA on this issue, and the benefit it has brought to those most affected by long waiting times.”
On 1 May Minister Canney instructed the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to put a plan in place to bring waiting times back to acceptable levels, and to report every two weeks on progress towards this goal. The RSA report for the week ending 28 June shows that the average wait time had reduced to just over 16 weeks, ahead of the 18-week target for end-June agreed between the RSA and Minister Canney.
Minister Canney said: “I am happy to see this positive progress towards reducing driving test waiting times. I am acutely aware of the frustration felt by those eager to sit their tests, and remain determined that we return to the maximum ten-week waiting time as soon as possible.
“This report shows that we are making headway towards the target. I thank the testers, support staff and the team at the RSA for the hard work it has taken to get to this point, and I look forward to further meaningful progress.”
