'Shocking' Laois driving test delays slammed in the Dáil

ALMOST 1,100 people are waiting for a driving test in Laois, with delays of over six months at the county’s test centre in Portlaoise.

Latest figures show that 1,092 learner drivers are waiting in Portlaoise and only 216 are scheduled for a test.

The numbers were described as “absolutely shocking” by Laois Independent TD Brian Stanley, during a Dáil debate this week on the urgent need to reduce driving test waiting times.

Minister of state Seán Canney confirmed that the average estimated wait nationally is 27 weeks, breaching a service level agreement of 10 weeks as the statutory maximum waiting time. However, he said the Road Safety Authority (RSA) believes the waiting time will be reduced to 10 weeks by next September, following a recruitment drive that began last year.

Deputy Stanley commented: “The figures for those waiting for a test, and the length of time they are waiting, are absolutely shocking. For an invitation, which does not guarantee a test, the wait time is six months in Birr in Offaly and more than six months in Portlaoise.

“There could be an additional six, seven, eight or nine weeks before people actually get the test. I have the figures that show this. I tried it myself on the website to see what would happen and it confirmed that it takes more than seven months to get an invitation.” 

The Portlaoise-based TD said the importance of the issue could not be overstated, particularly for workers in rural areas.

He said: “In Laois, many workers have to get to work in Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Portarlington or Graiguecullen and they are travelling from outlying areas such as The Swan, Ballinakill, Errill, Rathdowney and other areas, where there is no public transport early in the morning, or any area in the Slieve Bloom Mountains such as Camross, Clonaslee and places like that.

“It is important that we fix this. 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.” 

Deputy Stanley also pointed out that there has been a big crackdown on people driving unaccompanied on learner permits.

He said: “Gardaí 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.

“It is very important that we improve and shorten testing times. This has gone on for years. I and other deputies have raised this many times over several years with various ministers, but it has got worse.” 

In reply, Minister Canney said that approval was issued last September and remains in place for up to 200 permanent driver testers. The first new recruits have been carrying out tests since late April.

He added: “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 10-week waiting target in September.”