Average wait time for driving test invite falls to 16.3 weeks
As of the beginning of July, the average national waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has fallen to 16.3 weeks, well ahead of earlier projections from the Road Safety Authority.
A spokesperson for the RSA said it remains 'firmly on track to achieve its goal of reducing average waiting times to 10 weeks' by September 2025.
The organisation said this is due to a range of targeted measures implemented to increase capacity and improve efficiency under the ongoing Driving Test Action Plan.
Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer of the RSA, said: "The significant reduction in waiting times so far demonstrates our commitment to delivering a more efficient, accessible testing system for all learner drivers.
"We know how important this milestone is, and we are determined to continue this momentum through the summer and into autumn."
The RSA is encouraging learner drivers to prepare thoroughly, arrive at their test fully ready, and embrace the responsibility that comes with earning a full licence.
According to Mr Walsh, this will not only increase the success rate but also contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the national testing system.
"So far in 2025, the national pass rate stands at 53 per cent, meaning that almost half of learner drivers must reapply to sit their test again. While we know learners have waited patiently for a test, it is crucial to see the test as a critical step towards becoming a safe, confident, and independent driver."
Ahead of their test, learners are encouraged to practice regularly with their sponsor, building confidence in a variety of road and traffic conditions and to familiarise themselves with test requirements as set out in the RSA checklist including vehicle roadworthiness, tax, insurance and NCT requirements.
Some of the most common reasons that people fail their test are:
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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Average wait time for driving test invite falls to 16.3 weeks
There has been a reduction in waiting times for driving test invitations, with road safety chiefs confirming times should be down to just 10 weeks by September. As of the beginning of July, the average national waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has fallen to 16.3 weeks, well ahead of earlier projections from the Road Safety Authority. A spokesperson for the RSA said it remains 'firmly on track to achieve its goal of reducing average waiting times to 10 weeks' by September 2025. The organisation said this is due to a range of targeted measures implemented to increase capacity and improve efficiency under the ongoing Driving Test Action Plan. Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer of the RSA, said: "The significant reduction in waiting times so far demonstrates our commitment to delivering a more efficient, accessible testing system for all learner drivers. "We know how important this milestone is, and we are determined to continue this momentum through the summer and into autumn." The RSA is encouraging learner drivers to prepare thoroughly, arrive at their test fully ready, and embrace the responsibility that comes with earning a full licence. According to Mr Walsh, this will not only increase the success rate but also contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the national testing system. "So far in 2025, the national pass rate stands at 53 per cent, meaning that almost half of learner drivers must reapply to sit their test again. While we know learners have waited patiently for a test, it is crucial to see the test as a critical step towards becoming a safe, confident, and independent driver." Ahead of their test, learners are encouraged to practice regularly with their sponsor, building confidence in a variety of road and traffic conditions and to familiarise themselves with test requirements as set out in the RSA checklist including vehicle roadworthiness, tax, insurance and NCT requirements. Some of the most common reasons that people fail their test are:
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí say it all ‘went downhill' after they pulled over learner driver on the phone
'It only takes seven points for a learner driver to be disqualified' Naas gardaí said it all 'went downhill from there' after they pulled in this driver on the M4. After spotting him using the phone while driving, they realised he was an unaccompanied learner with no L plates who was driving on a motorway. 'It only takes seven points for a learner driver to be disqualified,' gardaí reminded the public in a post on X showing the offending car. Under current road laws, if you get 12 penalty points in any three years, you are automatically disqualified from driving for six months. . Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th However, learner permit drivers are disqualified if they have seven penalty points. This lower threshold also applies for the first two years of a driver's first full driving licence. It is an offence to hold a mobile phone in your hand, or to support it with another part of your body, for example, between your head and shoulder, while driving The only exception is if you are calling emergency services on 999 or 112. It is also an offence to access information on your phone while you are driving, even if your phone is secured into a hands-free system. You can legally talk on your phone using a hands-free system, but the Road Safety Authority advises very strongly against this. The penalty for using your phone while driving is a fixed charge of €120, and three penalty points. This increases to a fixed charge of €180 after 28 days, and five penalty points and a more significant fine can be imposed if it goes to court because of non-payment. Earlier this year gardaí revealed that they issue about 60 FCPNs (Fixed Charge Penalty Notices) that come with a €120 fine and three penalty points every single day to those detected using their phone while driving. That amounted to over 21,500 last year. It followed the detection of 266 motorists using their phones while driving over the course of 24 hours as part of a road safety initiative in January. An Garda Síochána held a national day of action targeting the use of a mobile phones while driving between 7am on January 15 and 7am on February 16. They were added to the 762 motorists who had already been caught by gardaí using their phones while driving since the start of the year. As the daily average of those detected using their phone while driving was 60 last year, the number of drivers in the latest day of action marked a four-fold increase on 2024. More than 21,500 drivers received fixed penalty notices in 2024 having been detected using their phones while behind the wheel. A Garda spokesperson said that driving while on the phone distracts the driver and takes their eyes and full attention away from the road. They described it as 'highly dangerous' and 'potentially life-threatening' for all road users. Almost 60,000 offences with fines and penalty points have been handed out over the last three years. Figures from the Department of Justice show that from 2022 to 2024, a total of 59,603 people were caught by gardaí driving while on the phone. With 21,888 people caught last year compared to 19,106 in 2023, and 18,609 in 2022, it suggests people are not heeding the message Senior gardaí have warned that drivers are increasingly being caught watching Netflix on their phones as well as having online work meetings and social media interactions.
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Driving test wait times are below July projection but six weeks above RSA target
THE AVERAGE NATIONAL waiting time to receive a driving test invitation has fallen to 16.3 weeks, according to the RSA. While this is below the RSA's projection for July it is still six weeks above its target of 10 weeks. The RSA said this reduction is the result of 'continued strong progress in reducing waiting times, as part of its ongoing Driving Test Action Plan '. This plan includes extended testing hours and accelerated training of new testers. As of the end of February, there were 144 permanent testers employed by the RSA. The RSA previously told The Journal that this figure will reach 200 by November. To further alleviate pressure, the RSA will open new driving test centres in 'key areas' to bring the national total to 60 centres. Waiting times At the end of May, driving test waiting times stood at 22 weeks. At the time, Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer of the RSA, said that by July the average wait should be down to 18 weeks. As of this week, that figure is 16.3 weeks, which the RSA said it has achieved 'well ahead of earlier projections'. Advertisement The RSA is still over six weeks off its target of 10 weeks, but a spokesperson said it remains 'firmly on track' to achieve this goal by September. The spokesperson added that this will be the result of a 'range of targeted measures implemented to increase capacity and improve efficiency'. Commenting on this week's update, Walsh described it as a 'significant reduction in waiting times' and an 'important milestone'. 'We are determined to continue this momentum through the summer and into autumn,' he added. Meanwhile, the RSA is encouraging learner drivers to prepare thoroughly, arrive at their test fully ready, and 'embrace the responsibility that comes with earning a full licence'. Walsh said this will 'not only increase the success rate but also contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the national testing system'. So far this year, the national pass rate stands at 53%. 'While we know learners have waited patiently for a test,' said Walsh, 'it is crucial to see the test as a critical step towards becoming a safe, confident, and independent driver.' Walsh encourages students to practice regularly with their sponsor and to familiarise themselves with test requirements as set out in the RSA checklist. He noted that some of the most common reasons that people fail their test include inadequate observation on moving off, at junctions, roundabouts, and changing lanes. Other common reasons for failure include incorrect road positioning, a failure to anticipate the actions of other drivers, incorrect use of mirrors and signals, and inadequate progress at junctions and roundabouts. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
