Driving test delays set to be shortened as government announces recruitment of 75 testers

The government have announced approval for 75 additional driver testers to be hired by the Road Safety Authority.

This will bring the potential total number of testers to over 200 and address the current backlog in the Driver Testing Service.

This is in addition to the 30 extra testers who were previously sanctioned in July 2022 and have been fully deployed since end of March 2023.

The testers will be recruited through open competition, and it is expected that new testers will be trained and ready to work from October of this year.

With these new testers in place, customers will see improvements in their waiting times and the RSA expect the backlog of applicants to be returned to target customer service levels by the end of the first quarter of 2024.

Demand for driving tests is now at unprecedented levels, applications in 2022 were 28% higher than 2021 levels and 27% up on 2018 pre COVID-19 pandemic levels.

The current demand for driving tests has a number of contributory factors.

These include: an increase in application volumes, with more learners applying for and becoming eligible to take their driving test since the start of 2022; increased capacity and take up of the Driver Theory Test; and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors’ and their capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.

Local Senator Pippa Hackett explained how the current wait in Laois and Offaly is up to six months.

She said that this announcement should dramatically reduce this wait time.

She said: “As of today, depending on the centre you choose, you could be waiting from 2 to 6 months for a test date within Laois and Offaly.

“Obviously I would like to see this shortened and I welcome today’s news of the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers.

“The current backlog is temporary and this is a necessary temporary solution.

“I encourage all eligible candidates to check out the details which are available through the RSA website under ‘Careers’.”

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