Motorists warned against using third-party apps to book driving tests
Vivienne Clarke
Minister of State for Transport Sean Canney is urging the public not to book driving tests through third-party apps.
“The best way to get your appointment is through the RSA official appointments website,” he told Newstalk’s Claire Byrne show.
Canney was responding to criticism of delays in driving tests centres and concern over the closure of the RSA driving test centre in Raheny, Co Dublin next month despite waiting times of up to 29 weeks.
It was important that the driving test system be coordinated by the RSA “not vested interests”, which was why the public should make bookings for tests only through the RSA, he said.
“They're there to make money, they're not there to help you get service, and to be quite honest with you, I think they're disrupting the whole thing.”
With regard to the planned closure of the RSA driving test centre in Raheny, Canney explained that construction works and road works in the vicinity of the centre had disrupted routes around the centre, so the RSA had been asked to find an alternative location.
The RSA was looking at opening another test centre in Dublin, he said. At present they had 198 testers in place, the highest number ever, which would mean more testing slots.
Canney said he was satisfied “generally” with the work of the RSA.
Fianna Fáil TD John Connolly told RTÉ radio’s Today show that the decision to close the Raheny test centre seemed “strange” when there were so many people waiting, and there were lengthy delays.
“I am hopeful that the RSA have other plans to make sure that they can facilitate those people who want to undertake the test at that centre, but surely it doesn't make sense at the moment that they won't be doing so.
“There are long delays, they vary throughout the country. In Galway in particular it can be a nine to ten week delay in the city, but if you go to some of the provincial towns, I know Loughrea has a region of 16 week delay.
“In fairness Minister Canning did provide additional resources, made some changes last September to try and reduce the number of delays. I think we need to continue that.”
Connolly called on the RSA to review its system for making cancelled tests available to other drivers. It was “concerning” that third-party apps could charge “extortionate” fees for a service that the RSA offered for free, he said.
“I would prefer if such services didn't exist and if the RSA could get on top of that, limit those third-party apps to make sure that those people who are waiting for a test can reapply themselves on the RSA portal.”
Connolly warned that the RSA had advised him that if they became aware of anybody who had booked a test through a third-party app “they will cancel it.
“I would think that's a prudent thing to do because we should not see a system whereby people are taking advantage of the delays that people are experiencing to make sure that they can make money for themselves.
“The RSA have advised me that they will cancel appointments that are booked through the third-party apps. The concern for me, however, is the RSA couldn't advise me yet as to how many appointments they have cancelled because they've been booked through these apps.”
