Figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) up to the end of April 2025 reveal that 2,397 people who had paid €85 to take their driving test failed to attend, reports RTE.
With around 81,000 people currently on the waiting list for a driving test, these missed appointments are contributing to increased pressure on the system.
Susan Gray, founder and chairperson of road safety organisation PARC, drew attention to the issue of learner drivers who join the queue but do not attend their scheduled tests, reports RTE.
“These no shows are depriving other learners of sitting the test when they are anxious to get a date and pass their test and not have to be driving accompanied,” she said, reports RTE.
This year, the RSA collected just over €203,000 in payments from applicants who ultimately didn’t show up for their test.
The data was shared with Fine Gael TD Emer Currie by the RSA in response to parliamentary questions.
In 2024 alone, 8,863 people failed to attend their driving test, reports RTE.
That year, the RSA took in €753,355 in fees from those who did not appear for their scheduled tests.
Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer at the RSA, acknowledged that some of the no-shows are individuals holding several learner permits.
“We do have people who are running very high levels of multiple learner permits,” he told RTÉ’s This Week, reports RTE.
Mr Walsh said: “We have a programme that once we get through this backlog [driving test waiting list] we’re going to kick it off.
“We have the legislation almost finalised with the Department of Transport, so we will be making some changes as to how learner drivers stay on the road with a learner permit,” reports RTE.
“If you hold a learner permit you should be learning to drive. Last year, we had 8,863 people who failed to show up. While that sounds like a big number in the context of 253,000 tests, it’s around 3.5%,” reports RTE.
Ms Gray voiced strong criticism toward those who hold a learner permit but fail to proceed to a full licence.
She said: “A learner driver never has to turn up for the test.
“They can renew every year by simply sending the RSA €85, getting a booking date, not turning up and using that letter from the RSA to prove that they actually applied to book a test,” reports RTE.
Chris Curran, a driving instructor based in Ennis, said he has seen several learner permit holders who deliberately decide not to attend their test.
“I believe there are a number of people still in the system that are continually not showing up,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr Curran noted that the RSA is “actively trying to work on getting those people to sit their test”.
“They don’t want people driving for years on learner permits,” he said, reports RTE.
“They need to get through the system, sit their test and either pass it or start working on how they might pass it at some stage,” he added, reports RTE.
That said, Mr Curran acknowledged that there can be legitimate reasons for someone not showing up to their test.
Mr Curran said: “The key one is nerves on the day. Some people are just too nervous. Other reasons may be that they have suddenly realised that the 10-day window that the RSA gives each candidate to reschedule their test has been exceeded. That means they have two choices on the day, turn up or don’t turn up. Some people take the second option and don’t turn up,” reports RTE.
Kirsten Falloon, who recently applied for a driving test appointment, expressed surprise at the long waiting time.
“When I applied for my test and realised the length of time that I’ve got to wait I thought that was abominable,” she said, reports RTE.
“They said it could be up to 26 weeks or longer,” she added, reports RTE.
Ms Falloon questioned why people book a test and then fail to show.
“I think it says more about the system than it does about those that are waiting, I think it’s very broken,” she added, reports RTE.
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