Learner drivers only told of test cancellation at last minute – TD

Some learner drivers are finding out that their driving tests are cancelled on the day of their tests, a TD told Friday’s meeting of the JPC.

Deputy Pauline Tully raised the matter at Friday’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, which was attended by Ciara Brady, road safety promotion officer for the Road Safety Authority.

The Sinn Féin TD said she knew of learner drivers only being informed of the cancellation at the last minute. Deputy Tully had asked Ms Brady for figures for the waiting lists, however it was explained that this was a matter for the NDLS centre which, while connected to the RSA, didn’t come under her remit.

“I’ve been contacted by people who have been waiting quite long for a driving test, and sometimes it’s about tests being cancelled at very short notice,” began Deputy Tully.

“If you don’t turn up for your test, or cancel your test at very short notice, you lose your fee. So maybe the same should apply [for the NDLS to forgo their charge] if tests are cancelled at the very last minute,” she suggested.

“Some people have actually made their way to the driving test centre, only to find there is no driving tester there. And they have taken the day off work. So, is it being addressed? Are more driving testers being employed?”

According to the RSA website on Monday, the earliest date at which an applicant could expect ‘an invitation to book your car driving test’ is the week commencing April 09, 2023. The website continues to detail that once an invitation has been received you can then "select from appointment slots over the following 3-5 weeks”.

This means that anyone eligible to sit the driving test now has approximately six months to wait. The RSA website also shows that Cavan’s pass rate of 67.9% for driving tests is among the highest in the Republic, and significantly higher than the national average of 55.2%. Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley requested that Ms Brady try to secure the figures from her NDLS colleagues. “Deputy Tully raised it but I would safely say every public rep in this room has had loads of requests on the matter,” he said.