Nearly 800 people in Wicklow waiting to book driving test
The Wicklow PeopleNew figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show there are 771 people waiting on an invitation to book a driving test in Wicklow, and a further 411 who have received a test date but are still waiting to sit their test.
In the Dun Laoghaire and Deansgrange test centre, where many people from north Wicklow take their test, there are 4,671 people waiting for an invitation and another 1,325 with a date who are still waiting for the test itself.
The wait time to receive a test date is currently 14 weeks in Wicklow and 20 weeks in Dun Laoghaire and Deansgrange.
The RSA announced a driving test action plan at the end of May which set out a series of targeted actions to bring the average waiting time down to ten weeks by the autumn.
Key measures underway to boost testing capacity include accelerated training of new testers using additional training facilities and a revised approach to training, while expanding testing hours, including overtime on weekday evenings, Saturdays, and bank holidays. The RSA will also increase overtime arrangements for testers to help meet demand.
Commenting on the progress, Brendan Walsh, chief operating officer of the RSA said the results mean the action plan is working.
“While we’re not at the finish line yet, we are on track to meet our SLA target of 10 weeks by September 2025. Our focus remains on ensuring that learner drivers across the country can access timely testing and progress safely to full licensure.”
However, Sinn Féin TD in Wicklow John Brady said the waiting times remain unsustainably long.
“I will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep the pressure on to ensure there is further increased capacity and resources so that people are not left waiting months on end for a test that they need to get to work, education or other essential commitments."