Dublin – More than 83,000 people are currently awaiting a driving test in Ireland, marking the highest backlog since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to figures released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
In April 2024, the waiting list stood at 58,860 applicants. By January 2025, that number had increased to 72,414, and as of last month, it reached a record high of 83,486.
National Waiting Times Double in a Year
The average national waiting time for a driving test in April 2025 was 27.3 weeks, meaning most applicants face a wait of between six and seven months before sitting their test. This is a sharp increase from 14.9 weeks recorded in April 2024.
Despite the RSA’s stated objective to conduct tests within 10 weeks of application, this target has not been met since July 2022. Currently, all 60 test centres nationwide report average waiting periods of five months or more.
Longest and Shortest Wait Times
The longest delays were recorded at Navan and Talbot test centres, where applicants faced waits of up to 43 weeks. Galway’s Cammore centre followed closely with a 42-week wait.
In contrast, the shortest waiting times were found at centres in Clifden, Tralee, and Gorey, where applicants could sit the test within 21 weeks.
Almost every test centre has experienced a substantial increase in waiting periods. For example, at Limerick’s Woodview centre, the wait time rose from 9 weeks in April 2024 to 31 weeks in April 2025.
Despite these challenges, the RSA noted it had conducted a record 253,850 driving tests in 2024, up significantly from 196,853 tests in 2023. The authority has also announced plans to recruit additional driving testers before the end of the year to help reduce the backlog.
Government Response
Minister of State Sean Canney acknowledged the severity of the delays and stated that all options are being considered to bring waiting times back down to target levels. He confirmed in the Dáil that he has ordered a full review of the RSA’s action plan to restore the 10-week target.
Newly appointed Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Fine Gael TD Micheál Murphy, also pledged to work with the RSA to develop an effective strategy to address the growing backlog. Murphy stressed that tackling these delays is a top priority for the committee in the coming months.
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