Mattie McGrath highlights 29‑week driving test wait in Tipperary
Mattie McGrath raised concerns about lengthy driving test waiting times in Conmel and Tipperary, saying waits reach 29 weeks and harm young people's prospects for summer work and study. The Taoiseach acknowledged national averages of about 20-21 weeks, cited a 30% rise in applications and said driver tester numbers are being increased to tackle the backlog.
Local waiting times
The waiting time for driving tests in Conmel and Tipperary is 29 weeks, while in Tipperary Town it is approximately 13 weeks. McGrath described these waits as a major frustration for residents.
Booking and reset period
Candidates who fail driving tests automatically receive an email invitation to book another test only after a reset period of a further 8 to 10 weeks. McGrath said the system does not operate a cancellation situation where candidates can get cancellations.
Impact on young people and work
McGrath warned that long waits particularly affect young people completing college in April and May who want to drive for summer jobs, undermining their ability to work, attend college and drive socially.
Government response and causes
The Taoiseach acknowledged on behalf of the Government that waiting times for driving tests are too long, averaging about 20 to 21 weeks compared with a service level agreement of 10 weeks. He said applications have increased by about 30% compared with pre-pandemic levels, creating a backlog.
Planned staffing increase and timeline
To address the backlog, the Government is increasing the number of driver testers from 100 to 130, a 30% rise. The Taoiseach said this will get on top of the backlog but that it will take some time, likening the timetable to dealing with work permit and passport delays.
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The waiting time for driving tests in Conmel and Tipperary is 29 weeks, approximately in Tipperary Town is 13 weeks. Candidates who have failed at driving tests automatically receive an email invitation to book another driving test once they have waited the wait period, a reset period, which is a further 8 to 10 weeks. The order to say it does not operate a cancellation situation where you can get cancellations. The wait times is a huge frustration to everybody, even multinational people who come in here, but to young people especially, and now as they complete their year in college in April and May, many of them want to go drive for summer jobs, it is a huge issue and needs to be dealt with, and it is appealing to their ability to work, even go to college or drive socially, so it needs to be dealt with. Thanks very much, Deputy. I do want to acknowledge on behalf of the Government that the waiting times for driving tests are too long. They are averaging at about 20, 21 weeks across the country. The service level agreement says 10, so nobody should have to wait more than 10 weeks to get an appointment for their driving test. The reason why it is happening is that we have seen a 30% increase in applications for driving tests, 30% higher than even before the pandemic period, and there is a backlog related to that too. So we have increased the number of driver testers, or rather we are increasing the number of driver testers from 100 to 130, a 30% increase. That will get us on top of the backlog. We will get on top of the backlog, I can guarantee that. A bit like the work permits and the passports will take a bit of time, but we will do it. Thank you. Thank you, Taoiseach.
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