The Road Safety Authority’s Chief Operating Officer has said that driving test waiting times are expected to drop to ten weeks by early September, reports RTE.
Brendan Walsh said the improved timelines would be made possible through the recruitment of additional testers and by extending testing hours, including early mornings, evenings, and Saturdays.
He added that staff have also volunteered to work on bank holiday Mondays, reports RTE.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Walsh said waiting times, which stood at 27 weeks at the end of April, have already decreased to 22 weeks.
“We’ve introduced 41 new testers into our service. We have another 20 in training at the moment, another twelve will join them in two weeks’ time. A further 18 will join the service in July for training,” he explained, reports RTE.
“In addition, our staff have committed to deliver tests where possible at half seven in the morning, running out to seven pm, as well as working Saturdays and, for the first time ever, offering to work on bank holiday Mondays,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr Walsh said a number of the new testers are already active and undergoing training, with more scheduled to join over the summer.
He acknowledged the stress long waiting lists have caused members of the public, reports RTE.
However, he pointed out that the surge in demand for tests is unprecedented.
“In 2021 we carried out 160,000 tests. Last year, we carried out a quarter of a million driving tests. That’s why we need this plan. That’s why we need permanent staff,” he said, reports RTE.
He also noted that the number of people waiting for re-tests varies.
Additionally, Mr Walsh confirmed that several locations across the country have been identified as potential sites for new driving test centres, reports RTE.
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