Only one-third of motorists passed their driving test in one centre in Dublin this year, compared to nearly three-quarters in Cork centre.
According to information released under the Freedom of Information Act, the national average was 55% between January and May.
The new figures, obtained by the Irish Daily Star, reveal a massive disparity across 59 centres throughout the country. City areas have the lowest pass rates.
Between January and May of this year, the worst in Dublin was 36.7 percent in Charlestown. It was followed by two other centres in the capital, Mulhuddart (43.2%) and Finglas (44.8%). The fourth-lowest percentage was 44.9 percent in Wilton, Cork City, followed by 45.9 percent in Tipperary Town.
Skibbereen, a small town in west Cork with a population of fewer than 3,000, has the highest pass rate in the country, with 73% of drivers passing. This was followed by the centre at Kilkenny’s O’Loughlin Gaels GAA club (67.9%) and Carnmore in Galway (66.3%). Loughrea (64.8%) and Clifden in Connemara (63%), both in Galway, rounded out the top five.
Backlogs – Meanwhile, due to significant backlogs, learner drivers are presently waiting an average of nearly six months for driving tests.
According to the Road Safety Authority, “the national average time to invite for car tests was 24.7 weeks as of the end of May.”
“The plan is to be back to 10 weeks by the end of the first quarter of 2024.”
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