Laois TD calls for action to address ‘absolutely shocking’ driving test wait times

A Laois TD has called for action to address the “absolutely shocking” time that people in the county are having to wait for driving tests.

Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley made the remarks during a Dáil debate this week, saying that waiting tines in Portlaoise are “more than six months.”

Deputy Stanley raised many areas of concern surrounding the length of time people are waiting for driving tests, including travelling for work, insurance costs and people living in rural areas where public transport is not a viable option.

“The importance of the driving licence issue cannot be overstated, in particular for workers in rural areas,” Deputy Stanley said.

“Public transport will never cover all townlands, and I accept that.

“We are trying to link up the villages and great progress has been made on this with Local Link, but often a village is five miles away and people need a car to get there.

“People also need a driver’s licence for their employment. Take, for example, home helps as typical. People in construction and delivery drivers all need a clean driver licence.

“There has been a big crackdown on driving with a provisional licence and the Gardai are very active on it. We accept this needs to happen. People cannot be on a provisional licence forever.

“There is also the fact that a lot of young drivers pay sky-high insurance because they cannot get a driver test, or a second or third driver test to get over the line to get a full driver’s licence.”

The Independent Republican TD said that he average estimated wait time nationwide is 27 weeks.

“It is very important that we improve and shorten testing times. This has gone on for years, Deputy Stanley said.

“I and other Deputies have raised this many times over several years with various Ministers, but it has got worse.

“The figures for those waiting for a test, and the length of time they are waiting, are absolutely shocking.”

The Laois TD went on to say: “The numbers waiting for a test are shocking. There are 1,092 people waiting in Portlaoise and only 216 of these are scheduled for a test.

“The statutory maximum time is not being met and that is a breach of the service level agreement of ten weeks”.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport,  Sean Canney TD, responded by saying: “Sanction was issued last September and remains in place today for up to 200 permanent driver testers.

“First new recruits from September 2024 recruitment campaign have been carrying out live tests since late April.

“I am also pleased to say that with some additional measures the RSA now believes it can bring forward the date at which it will reach its full staffing complement by three months and achieve the ten-week waiting target in September”.

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