Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that the RSA has statutory responsibility for the operational aspects of national driver's test, including test applications and scheduling matters. I would first like to address the broader issue of driver testing delays, which is a problem across the State and has been raised by a number of Deputies. The current national average waiting time for an invitation to a test is 19 weeks, which is far above the service level agreement, SLA, of ten weeks. This is reflective of demand on driver testing services which is up by 28% on 2021 figures and is up 27% on 2018 pre-Covid-19 pandemic figures.

I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to an invitation for learner drivers have a number of contributing factors. These include an increase in learner permits in circulation, which has grown by approximately 30% since the third quarter of 2019; increased capacity in the driver theory test when the service resumed post-Covid-19 pandemic; and an increase in advanced driving instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers, which has increased the number of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their test.

I assure the Deputy that the RSA is making every effort to manage these demand pressures. The authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which the Department of Transport sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. I am informed that the RSA is currently deploying a number of successful candidates across the driver testing service, with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists. It is expected that the remainder will be deployed by the first quarter of 2023. However, I acknowledge there is further work to be done to provide the driver testing services that each customer deserves and that the RSA is committed to delivering.

I have been assured by the RSA that it is keeping this situation under constant review and the authority will report back to my Department on the steps being taken to continue to reduce waiting times. If sanction requests for further increases in driver testers are received, we will evaluate them promptly.

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