12,500 learner drivers in Wexford risking ‘penalty points and fines’ while they wait 17 weeks for tests

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Over twelve thousand learner drivers in Co Wexford are risking penalty points and fines as they commute to and from jobs in rural areas. As of September 2025, there were 12,456 learner drivers in the county, an increase of 547 from the six-month period between March and September 2025.

With waiting lists for tests in Wexford town currently averaging 17 weeks, many young motorists are opting to drive unaccompanied and risk fines, penalty points, and possibly having their cars repossessed if caught by gardaí.

And at the February meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), Councillors John Fleming and Bridín Murphy placed the blame firmly on the shoulders of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Requesting that the council move a motion of no confidence in the RSA in “its current form”, the New Ross councillors noted that 185 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2025 and that “ongoing failures” in the driving testing system had contributed to this sobering statistic.

"Those trying to go to work are afraid of penalty points, afraid of fines, this shouldn’t be the case,” said Cllr Fleming. “The RSA should be hiring more people and getting through the tests, it’s affecting the number of fatalities on our roads and the rates of insurance for young drivers.”

Calling on Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien to “urgently re-evaluate the role, structure, and accountability of the Road Safety Authority”, the councillors referenced a previous report carried out by Indecon which highlighted issues with the “governance and performance” of the RSA.

However, those issues have still not been addressed according to Cllr Murphy.

“The government has recognised problems within the RSA and commissioned an independent report examining its governance and performance,” she said. “The previous Transport Minister (Eamon Ryan) agreed to implement those findings, but the current minister has said it’s not cost-effective to do so.

"We are calling upon the government to implement those recommendations and to reevaluate the RSA in its current form.”

The motion was subsequently passed by fellow councillors and will now be forwarded to Minister O’Brien for review.